Written Answers of 8 July 1994

ENVIRONMENT

  Unfit Properties
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish tables showing for each region and nation an estimate of the number of unfit

  Table 1: Unfit Dwellings: by Tenure and Region: England 1991

  Thousands of dwellings

  Standard statistical region

  Owner occupied

  Private rented

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Vacant

  Total

  Northern

  31

  32

  21

  4

  10

  99

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  85

  27

  31

  2

  11

  156

  East Midlands

  90

  19

  22

  0

  7

  138

  East Anglia

  34

  15

  11

  2

  3

  65

  Greater London

  127

  56

  69

  24

  25

  301

  South East

  119

  64

  26

  5

  26

  239

  South West

  57

  33

  14

  0

  18

  123

  West Midlands

  39

  39

  29

  0

  9

  117

  North West

  132

  47

  42

  3

  36

  260

  England

  715

  333

  265

  41

  145

  1,498

  Source: English House Condition Survey.

  Table 2: Mandatory and discretionary renovation grants: Approvals 1993–94 Numbers of grants

  Standard statistical region

  Mandatory

  Discretionary

  Northern

  2,750

  300

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,240

  1,040

  East Midlands

  4,110

  1,040

  East Anglia

  1,420

  90

  Greater London

  4,500

  520

  South East

  6,300

  1,100

  South West

  3,610

  340

  West Midlands

  4,590

  370

  North West

  5,200

  420

  England

  36,710

  5,230

  Source: Estimated from reports by local authorities on the housing statistics return P1D.

  Juveniles (Publicity)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines he has issued to local authority councillors in respect of using juveniles under local authority supervision for publicity purposes.

  Mr. Baldry
  None. The only guidelines on local authority publicity which my Department has issued is the 1988 code of recommended practice on local authority publicity which does not cover the use of juveniles for publicity purposes. I have placed a copy of the code in the Library.
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  properties, together with the distribution of these properties by tenure, and the number of renovation grants committed in the most recent available year.

  Sir George Young
  The first table shows estimates of the numbers of unfit dwellings. The second table shows estimates of approvals of mandatory and discretionary renovation grants in England during the financial year 1993–94. Figures are provided for England. For figures for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, I refer the Member to the respective Secretaries of State.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the figures for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from household use of energy in the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; and what is the(a) estimate and (b) Government target for 2000.

  Mr. Atkins
  The 16th edition of the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" shows that emissions of carbon dioxide from household energy use were estimated to be 42 million tonnes of carbon—MtC—in 1990, 44 MtC in 1991 and 43 MtC in 1992. Emissions in 1990 were relatively low because the year was particularly warm. The Government have not set a specific target for domestic sector emissions in 2000, although the measures announced in our climate change programme are expected to achieve a reduction of around 4 MtC below the underlying trend, which is currently expected to be about flat for the domestic sector.

  Climate Change (Insurance)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with representatives of Lloyd's insurance market on the risks associated with global climate change.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have had no such discussions, but the possible impact of climate change on the financial services industry, including insurance, is one of the issues that will be addressed in the second assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, and my department is providing financial support for one United Kingdom expert who has been asked to act as a contributing author on that issue.

  Housing Safety
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce new controls to improve safety standards in houses in multiple occupation.

  Sir George Young
  The Government are aware of the continuing concern about the number of hotels in resort areas which are operating as benefit hostels and of the wider concern about safety standards in all houses in multiple occupation—HMOs.

  Ministers share these concerns, but they are also anxious to avoid regulation unless it can be clearly demonstrated that such regulation is both essential and practical.

  Local authorities already have considerable powers to improve standards in HMOs, and to establish HMO registration schemes. They also have a statutory duty to ensure adequate fire safety standards in the larger HMOs. The issue of benefit hostels raises separate considerations and planning controls relating to the conversion from hotel to hostel use have recently been tightened.

  It is clearly necessary to consider carefully what more, if anything, needs to be done in both these areas. I have therefore instructed my officials in the Department of the Environment to begin immediate discussions with interested parties, on the case for a licensing system and how it might operate, with a view to issuing a formal consultation paper in the late summer. Full-scale licensing would require primary legislation and the paper will need to examine the scope for measures to tackle these problems both with or without legislation.

EDUCATION

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Secretary of State has not in the last 10 years directed the Department's accounting officer to award any contract against official advice.

  Special Educational Needs Conferences
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many conferences his Department has organised to promote the new code of practice for special educational needs; when and where they are to be held; what is the cost for a delegate from a school to attend; and how much additional copies of the information packs on the code of practice will cost.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department, together with the Department of Health, the Welsh Office, the National Children's Bureau and the Council for Disabled Children, arranged six conferences to help disseminate the code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. The conferences were held in London on 15 June, Manchester on 21 June, York on 24 June, Cardiff on 1 July, Bristol on 5 July and Birmingham on 7 July. The cost of attendance for each delegate was £94.328
  Delegates were given an information pack including a copy of the code, the guide for parents and a handbook. Additional copies of the code and the guide for parents can be obtained free; additional copies of the handbook cost £6·50 each.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Child Witnesses
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures are being taken by courts in Staffordshire to protect child witnesses, with particular reference to the use of screens and television link equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Both court centres in Staffordshire, namely Stafford and Stoke on Trent, have screens available, and Stafford also has live television link equipment and video playback equipment for use in the presentation of evidence by child witnesses. All magistrates courts have access to screens and the use of the television link equipment at Stafford, if required.

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Never.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what progress has been made recently by(a) the United Nations development programme, (b) the Food and Agriculture Organisation, (c) the World Health Organisation, (d) UNOSOM—the United Nations operation in Somalia, (e) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and (f) UNICEF in developing reconstruction and other services in north west Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Details of the activities of UNDP, FAO, WHO and the role of UNOSOM in north-west Somalia have been provided in answers to the hon. Member on 24 February at columns 398–99, 28 February at column 546, 1 March at column 631, 15 April at columns 303 and 329 and 14 June at columns 393–94.

  UNICEF activities in the region include: health—mother and child health programmes, immunisation, treatment and prevention of cholera, support for hospitals and health centres; education—construction of one Koranic school in Hargeisa, with 10 additional schools targeted for rehabiliation, training programme for koranic school teachers; and water and sanitation—emergency trucking of water, rehabilitation of shallow wells and hand pump installation.

  UNHCR has confirmed the completion of 148 quick impact projects—QUIPS—to assist the resident population and returning refugees. A further 216 projects continue

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  including those in the water, health, education, agriculture, livestock and income generation sectors. UNHCR has also made available US$2·6 million for demining activities and is involved in discussions with regional authorities on the repatriation of Somali refugees from Ethiopia and Djibouti.

  The United Nations development office is planning a multi-donor mission to Woquooly Galbeed region to take forward discussions with regional authorities on the priorities and conditions necessary for developing reconstruction activities and services to that region.

  Know-how Fund Projects
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each know-how fund project by country and date; and how much has been(a) committed and (b) spent on each project.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant) on 28 June at column 471. Such lists are placed in the Libraries of both Houses at regular intervals.

  Know-how fund expenditure in recipient countries to March 1933—detailed figures for 1993–4 are not yet available—is as follows:

  £

  Albania

  39,000

  Azerbaijan

  81,000

  Belarus

  26,000

  Bulgaria

  2,810,000

  Former Czechoslovakia

  14,599,000

  Georgia

  26,000

  Former German Democratic Republic

  502,000

  Hungary

  13,023,000

  Latvia

  350,000

  Lithuania

  486,000

  Poland

  32,722,000

  Romania

  3,823,000

  Russian Federation

  14,475,000

  Slovenia

  45,000

  Ukraine

  3,193,000

  Regional projects1

  4,969,000

  1For 1992–93 includes Environment projects.

  Palestine
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing to the new Palestinian administration in Gaza and Jericho.

  Mr. Hurd
  In response to the urgent needs of the Palestinian authority, Her Majesty's Government have decided to provide an extra £5 million of bilateral assistance this year. A total of £3 million will be for immediate running costs, and £2 million for increased technical cooperation. Part of these funds will be for the Palestinian police. This will help meet the urgent requirements in the key area of maintaining law and order.

  The success of the new Palestinian administration in Gaza and Jericho is critical for the future of the peace process. Provision of start-up costs is an immediate need.

  Her Majesty's Government have previously announced their intention to contribute £70 million of assistance to the Palestinians and the peace process during 1994–95 and
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  1996–97, through bilateral and multilateral channels. Many programmes are already underway. Their focus is support for the structures of Palestinian administration: the police, for whom we are already providing training and equipment; the Palestinian Monetary Authority; legal structures and the judiciary; water management and health care. We are also providing assistance for the planned Palestinian elections.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the first grants to be made to charities by the National Lottery Charities Board.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This will be a matter for the board to decide.

  Electoral Law (Disabled People)
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role will be played by his Department in the forthcoming consultation on disability; and what plans he has to publish a consultation paper on countering unfair discrimination against disabled people in electoral matters.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Disabled People, will be co-ordinating action on this front and will involve other Departments as necessary. We have no plans to produce a separate consultation paper.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions bicycles have been found to contain illegal explosive devices for the use of terrorists, on the mainland of Great Britain.

  Mr. Howard
  The available records indicate that there have been two explosions in Great Britain involving bicycle bombs: in 1939 an IRA bicycle bomb exploded in Coventry killing five people and in 1979 a bomb exploded in a mailbag on a postman's bicycle in Streatley, Berkshire. Since then there have been three occasions when Irish Republican terrorists are believed to have been responsible for bicycle bomb attacks elsewhere, twice in Northern Ireland and once at a British military installation in Germany.

  Computer Contracts
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current position of his Department over the award of the contracts for the processing of historical criminal records to(a) overseas based and (b) United Kingdom based processing companies; and whether members of the project team have visited processing facilities in the Philippines with regard to this contract.

  Mr. Howard
  After careful consideration of the competing bids, which included a visit by members of the project team to the Philippines, it has been decided to award the contract to PCL Group, which submitted the bid
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  which was judged to represent the best overall value for money to the taxpayer. The work will be carried out, under conditions of the strictest security, in Rickmansworth and Glasgow. The contract provides for the conversion of some 3 million records over 18 months, creating a database which will be of immense value to the police service in the investigation of crime.

  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what important factors his Department uses when determining the award of contracts involving computerisation of(a) criminal records and (b) general processing information of a sensitive nature.

  Mr. Howard
  The criteria for evaluation will vary according to the nature of the work to be done; the details are given in the announcement in the Official Journal of the European Communities which launches every substantial procurement. In the case of the current project to computerise the national collection of criminal records, the award criteria, other than price, were stated as"Proven ability to process the required throughput volumes, achieving the required quality and security levels, in the required timescale" (Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities, 25 November and 4 December 1993).

  Jersey
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make representations to the Government of Jersey concerning their refusal to allow United Kingdom citizens to gain residential and home ownership rights on the island.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. Jersey is an internally self-governing dependency of the Crown, and by constitutional convention my right hon. and learned Friend does not seek to intervene in matters such as the island's housing regulations.

  Polling Stations (Disabled Access)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by his Department since April 1992 to make polling stations more accessible to people with disabilities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 7 July 1994]: We regularly remind local authorities about their obligation to choose, wherever practicable, buildings which provide access for the disabled. Advice on helping disabled electors provided by the Spastics Society was circulated to returning officers in April 1993. The guidance included a checklist for carrying out accessibility audits at polling stations. A further reminder about the needs of disabled voters was included in our guidance for acting returning officers at the European parliamentary elections earlier this year. My officials met representatives of the Spastics Society and the Royal National Institute for the Blind as part of the post-election review and their concerns have been reflected by the working groups which reported their findings in March. My officials have recently met representatives of the local authority associations to discuss the findings and will report to me in due course on the outcome of the post-election review.

EMPLOYMENT

  Unfair Dismissal
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of unfair dismissal claims have resulted in reinstatement in each of the last five years;

  (2) how many unfair dismissal claims have resulted in reinstatement in each of the last five years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Only about one third of all unfair dismissal claims are heard by an industrial tribunal. The majority are settled or withdrawn, often as a result of conciliation by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The number of unfair dismissal claims where reinstatement or re-engagement have been ordered by an industrial tribunal and their proportion of all unfair dismissal claims is shown in the following table:

  1 April to 31 March

  Number

  Per cent.

  1989–90

  59

  0·33

  1990–91

  63

  0·32

  1991–92

  71

  0·28

  1992–93

  73

  0·22

  1993–94

  72

  0·17

  Gender Identity Disorder
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to reinforce the employment rights of individuals suffering from gender identity disorder.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no such plans.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to make it clear on the face of the application form for an industrial tribunal hearing that consent to having the case heard by a chairman sitting alone in chambers, once given, cannot be withdrawn.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Industrial tribunals are independent judicial bodies and such matters are for the presidents of the tribunals to consider. However, I understand that the tribunals' new explanatory booklet on procedures, which the guidance note on the application form asks applicants to read, will make it clear that once such written consent is given by the parties it cannot be withdrawn, although the chairman may exercise his discretion to sit with lay members.

  Gas Poisoning and Explosions
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many non-industrial deaths and serious injuries have occurred in each of the last five years due to gas poisoning and explosions.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is shown in the table:
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  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Number of fatalities

  Explosion/fire

  6

  15

  11

  8

  31

  Carbon monoxide poisoning

  41

  34

  30

  33

  391

  Number of injuries

  Explosion/fire

  42

  67

  48

  63

  331

  Carbon monoxide poisoning

  94

  88

  131

  184

  1701

  1Provisional.

  The statistics, as gathered, do not differentiate between fires and explosions. Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by the products of combustion escaping from an appliance into living accommodation. The gas supplied through the mains is not poisonous.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  British Library
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the reasons for the increase in the cost of building the new British library; and what steps are being taken to control the budget.

  Mr. Brooke
  A former Minister for the Arts, Mr. Luce, announced to the House on 5 June 1990, that the total cost of the project would be about £450 million. This cash budget has not changed, although it is likely to be exceeded temporarily while we deal with the commercial issues arising from the technical problems encountered recently. I remain determined to bring the overall project costs back to the cash budget set in 1990.

  An independent consultant carries out cost risk analyses for the Department of National Heritage at regular intervals to ascertain confidence levels that the project will keep within the overall budget and we take action, as necessary, if these raise any concerns. As a result of one such analysis during 1993, we reduced the cost of the two phases of the project, in full consideration with the British library.

  Monthly financial reports are produced for the department showing, for each element of the work, the amount spent and committed against budget. Quantity surveyors value the cost of the work as it proceeds and the management contractor and independent superintending officer each certify what has been done before we authorise payment. We also exercise strict control over contractual changes which have to be carefully examined and costed before we approve them, where justified.

  Pools Advertising
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received from the advertising association regarding pools advertising on television and radio.

  Mr. Brooke
  The director-general of the Advertising Association wrote to me in November 1993 asking me to reconsider the ban on pools advertising on television and radio.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received from the Pools Promoters Association on amendments to codes of practice of the Independent Television Commission and the Independent Radio Authority regarding pools advertising.
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  Mr. Brooke
  None.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what estimate he has made on the effect of the national lottery's turnover if the football pools were given equal access to advertising on television and radio;

  (2) what estimate he has made of the effect on pools turnover if a national lottery is permitted to advertise on television and radio and pools are not.

  Mr. Brooke
  None.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Regional Financial Assistance
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what level of regional financial assistance was made available to each of the standard United Kingdom regions in each year since 1978–79(a) at current prices and (b) at 1978–79 prices.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 5 June 1992,Official Report, columns 676–78 for information on regional financial assistance since 1978–79. The latest information is regularly published in "Regional Trends". The GDP deflators to convert the expenditure to the 1978–79 prices are published in the public expenditure statistical supplement to the "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  Energy Report
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to publicise and distribute copies of his first annual energy report; what has been the cost of publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the degree and type of response he has received on the report to date.

  Mr. Eggar
  I launched volume 1 of the first annual energy report at a press conference on 15 June and mentioned it subsequently at the press conference for the International Energy Agency review of United Kingdom energy policy on 30 June. About 250 copies of the report have been sent out to relevant parts of the media. Volume 2—the Brown Book—had been launched, as usual by the end of April, to coincide with the offshore technology conference in Houston. Further publicity for the report will be provided when the "Digest of Energy Statistics" is published later this month. HMSO, as publisher and vendor of the report, has also carried out its own publicity initiatives. Over 1,500 copies of volume 2 have been sold to date.

  The direct cost of publishing the report was borne by HMSO. The cost of designing the new formats for the two volumes and of typesetting and proofing was about £40,000. The cost to the Department of official time

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  immediately involved in preparing both volumes of the report was about £120,000. In addition, officials in DTI and other Departments contributed to and commented on the report. This cost is estimated to be of the order of £10,000. The members of the energy advisory panel gave their time free of charge.

  I have had a favourable reaction to the report from the energy advisory panel. Further reaction is invited within the report itself.

  Radiocommunications Agency
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effectiveness with which the Radiocommunications Agency is carrying out its functions in relation to interference problems in Tonge Park avenue, Bolton.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Radiocommunications Agency under its chief executive Jim Norton. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Peter Thurnham, dated 8 July 1994:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Question about the Agency's handling of an interference problem in Tonge Park Avenue, Bolton.
  The last investigation carried out by the Radiocommunications Agency in Tonge Park Avenue was in 1992, at which time residents reported an amateur radio installation as the source of interference to television and radio reception. Agency staff inspected the amateur station and in September 1992, following extensive tests, the amateur agreed to voluntarily restrict his power output. Apparently this cured the problem as no further complaints were received.
  However, you wrote to me on 28 June 1994 on behalf of your constituents Mr. and Mrs. Lever of 41 Tonge Park Avenue to say that the interference has re-occurred. I am sorry to learn of this. I have asked my local staff to carry out an up to date inspection of the amateur station and I will write again as soon as possible.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Insolvency Service executive agency for 1994–95.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Against the background of a declining number of compulsory insolvencies and a significant increase in the resources for 1994–95, I have set the Insolvency Service the target of reducing the number of its open cases to a level equivalent to approximately 12 months inpout. This will involve the service in closing 53,000 cases. I also expect the service to increase the number of proceedings taken for the disqualification of directors of failed companies where there is evidence of misconduct and, similarly, to increase the effectiveness of its investigative effort. To that end official receivers will be placing greater emphasis on disqualification and prosecution work. This will be aided by an increased use of private sector professionals and by the strengthening of the specialist's resources of the disqualification unit.

  In addition, I have set the service the following quality of service targets for 1994–95:
  to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within 8 weeks in at least 80 per cent. of all cases; and within 12 weeks in 98 per cent. of all cases;
  to hold the initial meeting of creditors within 12 weeks in at least 80 per cent. of all cases; and within 16 weeks in 98 per cent. of all cases;
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  to submit reports within 10 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of criminality;
  to submit disqualification reports within 15 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by directors;
  to check and action at least 95 per cent. of payment requisitions within five days or by the due date.

  These targets are based on an assumption of 35,000 new cases and a requirement to operate within its agreed expenditure budget of £57·5 million for 1994–95.

  In addition, I expect the chief executive of the service to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Telecommunications Licences
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many telecommunications licences have been granted since the duopoly review in March 1991.

  Mr. Heseltine
  A total of 47 telecommunications licences have been issued since March 1991. In addition, I have now decided in principle to grant licences to Concert—the BT/MCI joint venture which has recently obtained clearance from the United States Department of Justice—and AT and T. Draft licences will be prepared and will be subject to consultation in due course. Public consultation is obligatory for all public telecommunications operator licences, such as AT and T's. It is not obligatory in the case of Concert's non-PTO application. However, I have decided that in this case it would be appropriate to give interested parties the opportunity to comment. The issue of the licences is subject to agreement on the detailed terms and conditions.

  Regional Support
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was(a) the planned expenditure and (b) the actual expenditure on regional support in 1993–94.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 28 June 1994]: The information on planned expenditure is published in the DTI's 1994 "Expenditure Plans, 1994–95 to 1996–97", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. Final figures on the actual expenditure on regional support in 1993–94 are not yet available. They will be published in the appropriation accounts in due course.

TREASURY

  Severe Hardship Unit, Glasgow
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which members of his Department visited the Department of Social Security severe hardship unit in Glasgow in April; what was the purpose of their visit; what recommendations they have made following their visit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Treasury officials paid a visit to the severe hardship unit in Glasgow for discussions about the administration of income support payments to young people. Advice from them or from any other official to Ministers would be treated as confidential in the normal way.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Attorney-General when and by whom the decision was taken to set up a committee to investigate the possibility that the Crown Prosecution Service might be privatised; who are the members of that committee and what other positions they hold; how many times the committee has met; what provisional date has been set for privatisation; what plans he has to publish a Green Paper and to consult publicly on the proposed privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I announced on 6 December 1993,Official Report, column 59, that consideration would be given to whether the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Department should become executive agencies under the "next steps" initiative. I further announced on 27 April 1994, Official Report, column 234, that prior options studies were being undertaken, to establish whether agency status or other options would be appropriate. The Government's first report on the citizens charter, published in 1992, announced that privatisation is one of the options considered before an agency is set up. Other options include contractorisation and market testing.

  The prior options and agency studies for CPS and SFO are being overseen by an interdepartmental steering group which comprises officials from my own Department, CPS, SFO, the Lawyers Management Unit, Home Office, Lord Chancellors Department, Treasury and Office of Public Service and Science. The steering group has so far met on two occasions and is charged with reporting to me by late autumn this year. No decisions have yet been made nor will they be made until the process is completed. In my announcement on 27 April I invited contributions from interested parties. These continue to be welcome and should be sent to:

  Mr. S. Guy

  Crown Prosecution Service,

  50 Ludgate Hill,

  London EC4M 7EX

  Ms J. Rowe

  Serious Fraud Office,

  Elm House,

  10–16 Elm Street,

  London, WC1X OBJ

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) to what extent problems in the Child Support Agency computer system and the EDS application have contributed to the backlog in the agency's work;

  (2) to what extent the Child Support Agency office staff of clerical grade are finding difficulty in accessing, using and reacting to their computer system; and what assessment has been made of the effects of, and remedies for, the difficulties experienced by Child Support Agency staff;

  (3) to what extent the Child Support Agency has been hampered in its national operation by (a) downtime of the Child Support Agency computer system central IBM mainframe computer and data links and (b) the overrun of night-time batch processing into office hours;
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  (4) how many incorrect assessments, mis-identifying of absent fathers and other maladministration have been made due to mistakes involving the Child Support Agency computer system;

  (5) what proportion of those cases taken on by the Child Support Agency are being dealt with clerically without the aid of the Child Support Agency computer system; and how many of the assessments made by the agency have been made clerically;

  (6) to what extent the Child Support Agency has been hampered in the regional centres by non-availability of the centre's own server computers.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. James Pawsey, dated 8 July 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the Child Support Agency computer system.
  As with any large, new system, areas where improvements can be made have been identified. There is a continuous programme of improvements to the system including a planned quarterly enhancement to increase functionality. All relevant staff have been trained to use the system, and are generally doing so competently. Advice and support are available in the event of difficulty.
  You asked how many incorrect assessments had been made due to mistakes involving the computer system. Wrong assessments can occur because clients of the Agency provide incorrect information or because Agency staff make mistakes. Whilst this can cause incorrect data entry, the computer system is not known, with one exception, to have caused an incorrect assessment or misidentification of an absent parent. The exception occurred recently when, due to a programming fault, errors occurred on 789 assessments. These were identified within two days and remedial action is being taken.
  You were concerned about the effect of computer system downtime on Agency operations. Although non-availability of the system can have a disruptive effect, this cannot be measured precisely because the staff also perform non-system tasks which can be pursued during the course of any loss of service.
  You also asked what proportion of cases are being dealt with clerically; and how many of the assessments made by the Agency have been made clerically. Figures available for the year 1993–94 show that a total of 205,400 assessments were made by the Agency, of which 8,100 were assessed clerically.
  I hope that this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many maintenance assessments have been wrongly calculated by the Child Support Agency since its establishment.

  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. Greville Janner, dated 7 July 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about maintenance assessments which have been wrongly calculated.
  The Agency routinely monitors maintenance assessments to ensure that they are accurate with regard to law, process, procedure and money to be paid. A composite accuracy rate is not available as such, but stringent procedures are in place to minimise the risk of inaccurate assessments.
  Additionally, adjudication decisions and appeals in Agency centres are regularly examined by the Central Adjudication Services, an independent body who annually provide the Secretary of State with a report on the adjudication standard of the Agency.
  339
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what average amount of money received from absent parents the Child Support Agency holds at any time pending the forwarding of those payments to parents with care of children;

  (2) how much interest the Child Support Agency has received to date from moneys received from absent parents prior to their payment over to parents with care of children.

  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 John T. Hughes to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 8 July 1994.
  In her absence the Chief Executive, Mrs. Hepplewhite, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about client funds temporarily held by the Agency.
  I can confirm that the Agency does not receive interest from the bank in respect of client funds temporarily held by the Agency. Instead, the Agency's bank charges are abated.
  During April and May this year, the average amount of money received from absent parents and awaiting onward transmission to parents with care at any one time was approximately £620,000. This is based on the average volume of daily receipts, the proportion attributable to parents with care and the clearance times of the different payment methods.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful.

  Lesbian Parents
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what maintenance payments are due from fathers of children born to unmarried lesbians; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Under the Child Support Act and regulations, a parent with care who claims or receives income support, family credit or disability working allowance is required to give her authority for maintenance to be pursed from the absent parent unless there is a risk of harm or undue distress occurring to her or any child living with her. If benefit is not in payment it is a matter for the parent with care whether she seeks a child support maintenance assessment.

  A man who fathers a child has a responsibility to pay maintenance under child support legislation. This applies whether the mother lives alone or with a new partner. However, where a woman attends a licensed centre for artificial insemination by an anonymous donor the donor cannot be treated as the absent parent.

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Duncan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to lay regulations before Parliament to allow occupational pension schemes to reinstate former employees' protected rights as he announced in his statement to the House on 23 June,Official Report, column 359.

  Mr. Hague
  The Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations 1987 preclude the transfer of protected rights into an occupational pension scheme where the member is not employed by the contributing employer. Following representations from officials of the Securities and Investments Board and the occupational pensions sector, we have decided to remove this restriction and have today 340
  laid before Parliament appropriate amendment regulations. Reinstatement will remain at the discretion of the schemes' trustees in the light of their schemes' rules. However, the new regulations will enable schemes who wish to do so, to accept the transfer of protected rights even where the individual is no longer employed by the contributing employer.

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. Lilley
  I am advised that there is no knowledge of any such directions being issued in my Department in the last ten years.

WALES

  Disability
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to ensure further education opportunities for young people suffering from muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Further Education Funding Council for Wales is responsible for ensuring adequate arrangements are in place to meet the needs of all students with learning difficulties or disabilities.

  The Council has built into its recurrent funding methodology a significant element to recognise the discrete costs of provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and to enable such students to access and integrate successfully in mainstream courses.

  Planning Procedures
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that full planning permission is required from county councils in order to construct any building, plant or machinery.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No.

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally. I am looking at how difficult it would be to obtain it and at what cost.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce approval of and the names of the chairmen and board membership of those trusts intended to commence their existence on 1 April 1995.
  341
  Mr. Redwood
  Decisions on whether or not to establish further NHS trusts in Wales are expected to be announced in the autumn following statutory public consultation. Announcement of the membership of any further trusts would be made as soon as possible thereafter.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those health trusts in Wales which(a) are and (b) are not achieving a 6 per cent. rate of return with respect to the financial year 1993–94 management accounts.

  Mr. Redwood
  All but one of the 14 trusts expect to achieve a 6 per cent. rate of return for 1993–94. The rate of return for the South and East Wales ambulance trust may be marginally lower at around 5·7 per cent. The actual outcome will be known following the audit of the annual accounts for each trust.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the trusts in Wales with respect to the 6 per cent. rate of return on capital, with respect to rolling forward interest payments, or adjustment of the(a) 6 per cent. rate of return or (b) the valuation of capital stock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have regular discussions with the chairmen of Welsh NHS trusts on a range of issues. Trusts have a duty to achieve their statutory financial targets.

  GP Referral Letters
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the Welsh health authorities and trusts in relation to the timing of the opening of letters from general practitioners to consultants marked urgent and very urgent for triage by(a) others or (b) the consultants themselves; and what analysis he has made of the impact of setting maximum periods for the opening of general practitioner's referral letters.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have not discussed these matters with the chairmen of Welsh health authorities and trusts, nor have I considered assessing the impact of such targets.

DEFENCE

  Dispersal Programme
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how many jobs in his Department, transferred to Glasgow under the dispersal programme, have subsequently been re-allocated elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Aitken
  Some 1,400 jobs were transferred to Glasgow on dispersal in 1986. Of these, some 63 jobs in the directorate of contracts have been moved to collocate with the single-service directorates they support at Andover, Brampton and Bath.

  Official Service Residences
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) of 1 July,Official Report, column 764, if he will state the latest valuation of the official service residences and the annual running costs of the residences.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is, of course, not feasible to value properties accurately without placing them on the open 342
  market. My Department does, however, assign estimated sale valuations where possible and the latest valuation for official service residences is approximately £34,000,000. This valuation covers 67 of the 77 residences in the United Kingdom and overseas. Not all properties have a valuation assigned to them as some are located within defence establishments and could not be sold separately, whilst others belong to foreign Governments. Annual running costs for individual residences are not held centrally, but the total maintenance and furniture and equipment costs for the last two financial years for all residences is approximately £5,000,000. The annual cost for domestic and household staff for all residences is approximately £5,000,000.

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 10 March 1994,Official Report, column 401, and 22 March 1994, Official Report, column 174, which list the occasions when a formal direction has been given, five of which related to the award of a contract. The value of individual contracts is commercial-in-confidence information.

TRANSPORT

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the cost of conducting the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road which concluded in 1988;

  (2) what stage the 1988 Birmingham northern relief road inquiry reached; and what happened to the report from that inquiry.

  Mr. Key
  These questions relate to matters which are now the responsibility of the Highways Agency; the chief executive will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 7 July 1994:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of conducting the 1988 inquiry into the Birmingham Northern Relief Road, what stage that inquiry reached, and what happened to the Inspector's report.
  The 1988 public inquiry costs have not been isolated from other costs incurred on the public sector scheme. The costs could only be identified by reference to individual accounts and as this would incur a disproportionate amount of staff time and cost to research, I regret I am unable to supply you with the information you request.
  The public inquiry into the publicly funded scheme closed in September 1988 after the Inspector had heard all the evidence. The Inspector's report of the inquiry was submitted to the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport at the end of March 1989. As you know, it has not been released and the Orders to which it related have been withdrawn.
  343
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to publish the report of the public inquiry into the Birmingham north relief road in 1988.

  Mr. Key
  None. The draft orders which were the subject of the inquiry have been withdrawn and the report would not be relevant to the scheme now proposed.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 June,Official Report, columns 632–34, if he will list each scheme for which an environmental impact assessment has been started.

  Mr. Key
  This question relates to the operational matters of the Highway Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 29 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 about environmental assessments.
  An environmental assessment is carried out for each scheme in the national roads programme and an Environmental Statement is published for those schemes which are likely to have a significant effect on the environment.
  The environmental assessment commences at a very early stage in the development of a scheme. The Trunk Road in England 1994 Review identifies the schemes in the national road programme together with their priority.

  London Underground (Fires)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 478–80, what changes have been made in the method used to calculate confirmed fire incidents on London Underground in any of the years since 1990; and when these changes were applied.

  Mr. Norris
  The method of calculation has not been changed since 1990.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, columns 478–80, why no figures are available for confirmed fire incidents on London Underground before 1990.

  Mr. Norris
  Only figures from 1990 onwards are readily accessible from London Underground's database. Since 1988, Her Majesty's railway inspectorate has published some data on fires in its annual reports on railway safety, which are held in the House Libraries, but this is not in a format directly comparable with that already provided, and does not separately identify escalator fires.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with London Underground concerning fire safety precautions on London Underground rolling stock, how often checks are made on the fire safety of London Underground rolling stock; and if he will publish the content of those discussions.

  Mr. Norris
  I have regular meetings with London Underground to discuss a variety of issues, including 344
  safety. It is not our practice to disclose the content of such discussions, which are confidential to the participants. All London Underground trains are subject to routine maintenance procedures of which safety checks and inspections form an integral part. These include visual inspections of all fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, emergency exits and tests of train safety systems, such as passenger alarms, after every 24 hours of service. Further, more comprehensive, checks are made over longer periods.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, columns 478–80, regarding fires on the London Underground; if he will provide equivalent figures for British Rail, Network SouthEast to 30 March 1994.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. During the eight years of Network SouthEast's existence, accidents were reported, until about mid 1993, under BR regional headings, making direct retrieval of NSE data impracticable.

  National figures are available in the HM railway inspectorate's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, columns 478–80, how many of the confirmed fire incidents, for each of the years for which figures are available, involved rolling stock that was in use; whether any passengers were using the rolling stock during any of those incidents; and how many passengers were involved in each confirmed fire incident on London Underground rolling stock.

  Mr. Norris
  Summary information on the total numbers of rolling stock fires and of passenger injuries on London Underground is published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's railways inspectorate on railway safety, which are held in the House Libraries. However, London Underground has advised that the further information requested is not readily available.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 478–80, how many passengers were injured in fires on London Underground, in all categories; and how many staff were injured on London Underground in each of the years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norris
  Summary information on passenger and staff injuries is published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's railways inspectorate, which are held in the House Libraries. However, London Underground has advised that a breakdown of the causes of such injuries to the level of detail requested is not readily available.

  London Underground (Passenger Satisfaction)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost to London Underground of the passengers charter in each of the last three years; and what discussions he has held with London Underground about them.

  Mr. Norris
  Production and distribution of the customer charter cost London Underground £114,000 in 1992, £248,000 in 1993, and £130,000 in 1994, I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with London Underground.
  345
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish London Underground's customer satisfaction figures for 1993–94, indicating which targets were, and which were not, met; and when he last met London Underground to discuss the figures.

  Mr. Norris
  London Underground met all its customer satisfaction targets for 1993–4, and the figures are set out in the following table. I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with London Underground.

  London Underground Limited: 1993–94 Customer satisfaction statistics

  Targets set for 1993–94

  Overall performance for year 1993–94

  Cleanliness of trains

  81

  85

  Cleanliness of stations

  89

  90

  Staff helpfulness and availability

  86

  88

  Information on trains

  86

  93

  Information on stations

  81

  83

  Ticket purchasing

  92

  92

  Source: London Underground Limited.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he had with London Underground about the passengers charter, published on 28 June; what consideration was given to including references to fire or accident safety on the London Underground; and what plans there are to include references to these matters in the charter.

  Mr. Norris
  I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with London Underground. Its 1994 charter includes a new target for customer satisfaction with safety and security.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with London Underground about lowering ticket prices to encourage tourism and inward investment in the capital.

  Mr. Norris
  I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with London Underground. However I am not aware of any proposals by London Underground to reduce its ticket prices.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with London Underground regarding the installation of help points at all London Underground stations; and by what year such installations will be complete.

  Mr. Norris
  I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with London Underground. The programme for installation of help points at underground stations is a matter for it, but I understand that no date has been set for all stations to be so equipped.

  Motor Vehicle Pollutants
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the statutory controls currently applied to vehicle exhaust emissions;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the level of pollutants resulting from motor vehicle exhaust emissions;

  (3) what consultations his Department has undertaken concerning the level of pollutants resulting from motor vehicle exhaust emissions;
  346
  (4) what consultations he has undertaken with other European Union states concerning the level of pollutants resulting from motor vehicle emissions;

  (5) what plans he has to strengthen the controls currently applied to vehicle exhaust emissions.

  Mr. Key
  Regulations made under the Road Traffic Act 1988 control the construction and "type approval" of new vehicles and the use of vehicles as regards exhaust emissions. These are largely derived directly from obligations under EC directives. Enforcement of in-use requirements through the MOT and roadworthiness test is effected under vehicle testing regulations made under the 1988 Act. A convenient summary of emission requirements to be met by new vehicles entering into service can be found in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1993 (SI No. 1993 No. 2199).

  The Department receives regular representations from Members and from the public at large on the effects of vehicle pollutants on the environment and health. The Department is also liaising closely with the Departments of Health and Environment on studies which they have commissioned on these matters.

  The Department is actively involved with other member states and the European Commission in developing a range of measures at EC level to further reduce vehicle pollutants. Existing controls on emissions will be tightened in 1996 for all vehicles in use. Also in 1996, new heavy diesel powered vehicles will be required to meet more stringent emission standards, as will new cars and vans in 1997 under EC directives already agreed.

  The Department has also taken a leading role in the EU with a number of initiatives aimed at further improvements in vehicle emissions. These include improved in-service measures to reduce diesel smoke and particulate emissions; the adoption of "on-vehicle" emission diagnostic systems to promote rapid repairs and permit effective roadside enforcement and during the annual test; and new test procedures for new vehicle approvals, to be combined with reduced emission limits, to more adequately reflect actual on-road behaviour and to take maximim advantage of emerging vehicle technology.

  These measures form an integral part of a series being considered by the European Commission that will be applied to all classes of vehicle by the year 2000. In the light of the DoH and DOE sponsored studies currently underway, the Department will also be encouraging the Commission to propose emission standards in line with the advice given. Nevertheless, as a result of measures already in place, we are already set to see a marked and progressive decline in pollutants from motor vehicles that will extend well into the next decade.

  Metro Systems
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with other European Transport Ministers regarding the provision of safe and effective metro systems.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend regularly discusses a wide range of issues with European colleagues.

  Coventry Eastern Bypass
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is responsible for the maintenance of the verges of the Coventry eastern bypass.

  Mr. Key
  The Highways Agency is responsible for the general maintenance of the verges of the Coventry eastern bypass. This is carried out by Warwickshire county council as maintenance agent for the agency. Litter clearance is the responsibility of Rugby district council and Coventry city council.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the DSA's service in the national network of driving test centres.

  Mr. Key
  Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive Dr. S. J. Ford. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from S. J. Ford to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 7 July 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked the Chief Executive to reply to the questions you asked about the role of DSA's service in the national network of driving test centres.
  The primary aim of the Driving Standards Agency is to promote road safety by testing drivers and driving instructors fairly and efficiently. In pursuing this aim the Agency is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which it carries out the statutory functions of the Secretary of State for Transport in connection with driver testing. Driving tests are delivered through a network of driving test centres in Great Britain. The Agency aims to furnish a high quality of service to its customers. Ministers have confirmed that the preservation of the national network of centres is an important part of DSA's service, although a balance has to be struck between the cost of maintaining this network and the fees charged for tests.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory requirements or guidance exists regarding speed and distance limitations for reversing heavy goods vehicles involved in road maintenance or repair work.

  Mr. Key
  There are no statutory requirements governing the speed or distance of reversing vehicles. However, the highway code says that drivers should reverse with care, and if they cannot see clearly, they should get someone to guide them. This is particularly relevant for large vehicles.

  On road maintenance and repair work, as on other contract work, contractors are bound by health and safety legislation to assess the risk to staff and others of the work activities and to produce safe working procedures to minimise any risk. In certain circumstances, limitations may be placed under the contract on the distance which vehicles are allowed to reverse for operational reasons; and it is normal to have a maximum speed limit through the site.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to require heavy goods vehicles to be fitted with reversing alarms, reversing lights or be accompanied by a pedestrian look-out when reversing.
  348
  Mr. Key
  Reversing alarms may be fitted as an aid to safety on heavy goods vehicles over 2 tonnes gross weight and to other categories of vehicles where the driver's vision might be obscured by the size or shape of the vehicle. Reversing lamps are permitted on all vehicles.

  The prime responsibility for ensuring that reversing is carried out safely rests with the driver. The clear advice given in the highway code should be followed: drivers should reverse with care, and if they cannot see clearly, they should get someone to guide them.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he now envisages the crossrail project being taken forward; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  In view of the fact that the private Bill originally promoted by London Underground and British Rail cannot now be progressed, I have agreed with the promoters that they should instead seek powers for the project under the Transport and Works Act 1992. They will start work on this at once. It remains the Government's policy that the project should be financed as a joint venture, with a substantial private sector contribution.

  Vehicle Emissions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the figures for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from transport in the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; and what is(a) the estimate and (b) the Government target for 2000.

  Mr. Key
  The figures for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from transport are:

  Year

  Emission/MtC1

  1990

  33

  1991

  33

  1992

  33

  1993

  2—

  1Data from "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics (DoE 1994)

  Million tonnes of Carbon emitted by source.

  2No data as yet available.

  "Climate Change—The UK Programme" published in January 1994 sets out how the Government intend to fulfil their Rio commitments and return emissions to their 1990 levels by 2000. Measures were identified in the programme to reduce projected emissions in 2000 by 10MtC to meet this aim. In the transport sector emissions in 2000 were forecast to be 36·5 MtC; annual increases in fuel duty of at least 5 per cent. above inflation are expected to reduce this level by about 2·5 MtC.

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Rail Disputes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he has had with the chairman of Railtrack and the Health and Safety Commission concerning the instituting of an independent testing procedure for non-signalmen or taking control of panel boxes during periods of industrial dispute.

  Mr. Freeman
  The duty to ensure the competence of employees to carry out safety critical work rests with the employer, under the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994.

  The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has carried out checks to ensure that Railtrack, as the employer of signalmen, allows only competent persons to take charge of panel boxes during periods of industrial dispute. The railway inspectorate will continue to carry out checks, as necessary.

  Road Surfaces
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of the comparative costs of road resurfacing as between conventional asphalt surfaces and porous asphalt; what plans he has for a further use of porous asphalt in order to reduce road noise; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: This question concerning road surfacings is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Howell, dated 7 July 1994
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in response to your question relating to comparative cost of porous asphalt and its use.
  The Highways Agency monitors the cost of porous asphalt on contracts. These studies indicate that, for heavily trafficked trunk roads, the comparative cost of porous asphalt can be between 50 per cent. to 100 per cent. more expensive than conventional asphalt surfaces. This relates to the cost of the material itself. There are additional costs for increased road thickness to compensate for the lower strength of porous asphalt surfacing and for provision of appropriate drainage. While there are also indications that additional winter maintenance will be needed figures are not yet available for this.
  The criteria for using porous asphalt were presented by the Minister to the House in the adjournment debate on 15 May 1992 and permit use where conditions are suitable and it is cost effective. They are set down more fully in Press Notice No. 204 issued on the 28 July 1992 a copy of which I attach. Porous asphalt surfacing is being considered for use on schemes within the criteria laid down.

  Highways Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of Department of Environment typists used by the Highways Agency; and what is the total cost per year of this.

  Mr. Key
  As this is a matter for the Highways Agency, I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Lady direct.
  350
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 7 July 1994.
  The London offices of the Highways Agency make no use of DOE typists, and neither do the Agency's Regional Offices in Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol and Nottingham. The situation in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle differs as follows:
  Manchester; the Agency meets the cost of 6 DOE typists for which we expect to pay £81,318 in 1994/95.
  Leeds; the Agency meets the cost of 3 typists plus half the costs of a typing manager which, for 1994/95 will be £55,731, and £11,773, respectively.
  Newcastle; the Agency has use of a DOE typing pool under a service agreement. The cost of this service for 1994/95, based on accepted usage patterns, will be £87,594.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish tables showing the current loan debt of each Scottish local authority in respect of their(a) general services capital programmes, (b) housing accounts and (c) other accounts, including those to which specific grant is paid; if in the case of (a) he will express this in terms of (i) total debt, (ii) annual repayment charges and (iii) annual cost to each eligible council tax payer; if in the case of (b) he will express this in terms of (i) total debt, (ii) annual repayment charges and (iii) annual burden on each tenant of that authority; if in the case of (c) he will specify the name of the account or programme and express the current fiscal situation in terms of (i) total debt, (ii) annual repayment charges and (iii) annual burden on each relevant individual; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The tables give the latest available information separately for general fund services—excluding domestic sewerage—housing revenue account, water and sewerage services. Footnotes to the tables explain the source and derivation of the figures shown. Loan charges on general fund services are taken into account in the distribution of aggregate external finance to individual local authorities and the level of each authority's debt on these services has little or no effect on the level of council tax.

  General Fund

  Capital debt1 outstanding at 31 March 1993 (excluding domestic sewarage) (£000)

  Loan charges2 1993–94 (excluding domestic sewerage) (£000)

  Scotland

  4,301,088

  652,406

  Borders

  77,820

  11,781

  Central

  127,988

  19,262

  Dumfries and Galloway

  93,410

  13,489

  Fife

  187,636

  27,392

  Grampian

  304,285

  45,652

  Highland

  181,661

  27,276

  Lothian

  423,144

  65,043

  Strathclyde

  1,268,029

  193,542

  Tayside

  177,980

  29,514

  Orkney

  0

  6,565

  Shetland

  0

  7,350

  Western Isles

  86,210

  14,061

  351

  Capital debt1 outstanding at 31 March 1993 (excluding domestic sewarage) (£000)

  Loan charges2 1993–94 (excluding domestic sewerage) (£000)

  Berwickshire

  3,631

  716

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  6,392

  917

  Roxburgh

  8,873

  1,186

  Tweeddale

  2,644

  444

  Clackmannan

  8,564

  1,166

  Falkirk

  23,595

  3,583

  Stirling

  23,644

  3,429

  Annandale and Eskdale

  4,256

  749

  Nithsdale

  10,516

  1,376

  Stewartry

  2,190

  354

  Wigtown

  5,149

  832

  Dunfermline

  11,200

  1,584

  Kirkcaldy

  16,021

  2,160

  North East Fife

  12,830

  1,772

  Aberdeen City

  62,914

  9,431

  Banff and Buchan

  8,443

  1,129

  Gordon

  9,788

  1,512

  Kincardine and Deeside

  6,894

  962

  Moray

  10,871

  1,736

  Badenoch andd Strathspey

  1,481

  184

  Caithness

  5,068

  786

  Inverness

  7,652

  1,173

  Lochaber

  6,425

  1,086

  Nairn

  1,703

  283

  Ross and Cromarty

  17,509

  3,024

  Skye and Lochalsh

  5,448

  864

  Sutherland

  3,864

  675

  East Lothian

  15,749

  2,706

  Edinburgh City

  237,430

  31,502

  Midlothian

  11,572

  1,830

  West Lothian

  22,021

  2,920

  Argyll and Bute

  34,917

  5,171

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  6,522

  1,065

  Clydebank

  25,500

  3,307

  Clydesdale

  8,614

  1,473

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  8,390

  1,191

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  8,426

  1,393

  Cunninghame

  29,948

  4,676

  Dumbarton

  13,759

  2,650

  East Kilbride

  6,622

  1,215

  Eastwood

  4,894

  656

  Glasgow City

  363,156

  42,632

  Hamilton

  25,864

  3,465

  Inverclyde

  38,278

  4,992

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  13,683

  2,031

  Kyle and Carrick

  18,081

  3,070

  Monklands

  34,801

  5,639

  Motherwell

  37,832

  5,779

  Renfrew

  35,247

  5,490

  Strathkelvin

  18,124

  1,842

  Angus

  7,778

  1,391

  Dundee City

  38,489

  7,452

  Perth and Kinross

  19,664

  2,828

  Sources: 1Capital debt outstanding returns (CDO 93)

  2Provisional outturns 1993–94.
  352

  Housing

  1Capital debt 31 April 1994 £ thousands

  1Loan charges 1994–95 £ thousands

  Rent burden per house 2per annum £

  SCOTLAND

  3,867,414

  503,170

  775·40

  Orkney Islands

  7,314

  912

  793·04

  Shetland Islands

  56,197

  5,535

  2,222·16

  Western Isles

  44,898

  6,426

  2,951·91

  Berwickshire

  9,795

  1,416

  667·92

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  15,898

  1,993

  571·22

  Roxburgh

  46,037

  4,755

  1,045·28

  Tweeddale

  5,139

  597

  497·79

  Clackmannan

  29,356

  4,448

  626·48

  Falkirk

  102,506

  15,091

  620·8

  Stirling

  49,912

  7,281

  774·62

  Annandale and Eskdale

  34,798

  5,114

  1,247·25

  Nithsdale

  37,304

  4,858

  789·95

  Stewartry

  15,746

  1,905

  943·44

  Wigtown

  23,774

  3,358

  936·66

  Dunfermline

  57,196

  8,576

  549·96

  Kirkcaldy

  80,951

  10,900

  577·84

  North East Fife

  26,546

  3,067

  573·27

  Aberdeen

  160,129

  19,902

  625·85

  Banff and Buchan

  54,850

  6,333

  655·18

  Gordon

  67,240

  9,004

  1,797·2

  Kincardine and Deeside

  37,691

  4,722

  1,421·82

  Moray

  52,058

  5,649

  670·19

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  9,411

  1,117

  1,210·40

  Caithness

  28,204

  4,504

  1,280·55

  Inverness

  48,981

  6,047

  1,017·67

  Lochaber

  34,762

  4,421

  1921·26

  Nairn

  9,370

  1,164

  1,177·14

  Ross and Cromarty

  60,880

  9,192

  1,719·35

  Skye and Lochalsh

  16,348

  2,143

  2,736·83

  Sutherland

  18,906

  2,534

  1,593·71

  East Lothian

  47,492

  6,649

  583·91

  Edinburgh

  258,192

  32,466

  914·46

  Midlothian

  22,226

  3,505

  395·64

  West Lothian

  61,178

  8,566

  522·32

  Argyll and Bute

  49,535

  6,995

  1,089·51

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  9,214

  1,384

  994·72

  Clydebank

  38,834

  5,701

  708·16

  Clydesdale

  21,675

  3,480

  447·75

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  15,307

  1,981

  616·37

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  27,267

  4,152

  514·44

  Cunninghame

  72,379

  9,329

  524·10

  Dumbarton

  50,102

  6,082

  647·63

  East Kilbride

  4,863

  603

  681·42

  Eastwood

  7,009

  885

  540·62

  Glasgow

  1,065,488

  133,328

  1,075·83

  Hamilton

  72,532

  9,988

  605·33

  Inverclyde

  93,900

  9,594

  643·20

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  52,142

  5,624

  420·41

  Kyle and Carrick

  61,700

  7,844

  618·86

  Monklands

  98,762

  14,712

  674·24

  Motherwell

  112,308

  18,033

  583·66

  Renfrew

  133,959

  15,501

  555·69

  Strathkelvin

  45,144

  5,250

  682·08

  Angus

  37,045

  4,949

  444·78

  Dundee

  117,143

  18,373

  688·28

  Perth and Kinross

  49,822

  5,232

  461·19

  Sources:

  1Housing revenue account 1994–95.

  2Loan charges divided by estimated housing stock 1994–95.
  353

  Water

  Sewerage4

  Capital debt1 outstanding at 31 March 1993 (£000)

  loan charges2 1992–93 (£000)

  Burden community water chargepayer per annum3 £

  Capital debt1outstanding at 31 March 1993 (£000)

  loan charges5 1992–93 (£000)

  Burden community chargepayer per annum6 £

  Scotland

  588,010

  78,879

  10·64

  669,979

  93,031

  11·65

  Borders

  12,531

  1,691

  11·35

  10,716

  1,925

  14·14

  Central

  28,002

  3,944

  5·51

  35,376

  5,186

  10·92

  Dumfries and Galloway

  23,326

  2,985

  12·36

  17,821

  2,388

  12·07

  Fife

  41,964

  5,443

  9·15

  42,292

  5,796

  10·06

  Grampian

  94,753

  11,935

  17·93

  83,112

  11,682

  12·15

  Highland

  24,339

  3,500

  12·03

  32,326

  4,455

  13·69

  Lothian

  111,440

  13,983

  11·89

  117,778

  15,433

  14·10

  Strathclyde

  203,134

  27,769

  8·09

  262,425

  36.001

  9·37

  Tayside

  39,784

  6,608

  11·33

  61,616

  9,196

  14·36

  Orkney

  2,763

  223

  6·37

  1,165

  75

  1·99

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Western Isles

  5,974

  798

  23·57

  5,352

  894

  25·77

  Sources:

  1Capital debt outstanding returns (CDO 93)

  2LFR 21 (water) returns 1992–93.

  3Domestic element of expenditure on loan charges divided by water chargepayers.

  4Includes domestic sewerage.

  5LFR 19 (sewerage) returns 1992–93.

  6Domestic element of expenditure on loan charges; divided by community chargepayers.

  Cancer
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to ensure that nationally agreed protocols on cancer treatment are being followed by all doctors.

  Mr. Stewart
  It is expected that national audit projects currently being undertaken on cancer treatment will result in the production of additional clinical guidelines. These will be disseminated to clinicians to be translated into local protocols. Compliance with guidelines is promoted in postgraduate education and is monitored through clinical audit, through the purchaser/provider contracting process and through national outcome studies.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many specialist cancer units exist in Scotland; and what plans there are to increase the number.

  Mr. Stewart
  There are five specialist cancer centres in Scotland at present and there are no plans to increase this number.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cancer specialists of all kinds there are in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  At 30 September 1993 there were 11 consultants in medical oncology and 31 in radiotherapy working in the national health service in Scotland. The diagnosis of cancer and the treatment of cancer patients are also provided by consultants in palliative medicine and in many other medical and surgical specialties.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultants in medical oncology there are in Scotland; and how many are paid for by the national health service.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: There were 11 consultants in medical oncology in Scotland at 30 September 1993, the latest date for which information
  354
  is available centrally, of whom seven are in clinical academic posts. Four of the 11 have their salaries paid by the national health service.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the cancer survival rate figures collected by the Scottish cancer intelligence unit.

  Mr. Stewart
  In April 1993 the Scottish Office published a volume on cancer survival rates in Scotland. This publicatioin examined trends in cancer survival over time in Scotland for a range of cancer sites. The Scottish cancer intelligence unit is currently undertaking a further study into cancer survival in Scotland. Once this study is complete the results will be publicly available.

  In addition, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer has set up a working group to examine regional variations in cancer survival within Europe. Scotland has a strong representation on this group and a preliminary report is expected by the summer of 1995.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cancer operations were carried out in Scotland last year by(a) the 10 per cent. of surgeons who performed the highest number of such operations and (b) the 10 per cent. of surgeons who carried out the lowest number.

  Mr. Stewart
  In Scotland in 1993, 24,084 principal operations were carried out by the 10 per cent. of consultants performing the highest number of principal operations on patients with a preliminary diagnosis of malignant neoplasm. This accounts for 20 per cent. of the total surgical workload of these particular consultants.

  In the same year 107 principal operations were carried out by the 10 per cent. of consultants performing the lowest number of principal operations on patients with a primary diagnosis of malignant neoplasm.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many surgeons in Scotland carried out cancer operations last year.
  355
  Mr. Stewart
  In 1993, 1,068 consultants performed principal operations on patients with a primary diagnosis of malignant neoplasm in NHS hospitals in Scotland.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cancer operations were carried out in Scotland last year.

  Mr. Stewart
  In 1993 there were 45,661 principal operations performed in NHS hospitals in Scotland for patients with a primary diagnosis of malignant neoplasm.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of cancer patients last year was referred initially to a consultant oncologist.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the availability of chemotherapy for cancer patients.

  Mr. Stewart
  The clinical resource and audit group and the Scottish health management efficiency group set up a joint working group to examine the management of non-surgical cancer services in Scotland. The working group reported in April 1992 and its recommendations were commended to health boards. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Scottish Cancer Co-ordinating and Advisory Committee which was established as a result of the working group's report is setting up focus groups on the commonest cancers with the intention of providing advice on good practice including chemotherapy.

  In addition the report "Quality Control in Cancer Chemotherapy" produced jointly by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Radiologists was circulated to all clinical oncologists, all medical oncologists and to the chief executives of NHS trusts.

  Birds (Protection)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider extending the acceptance of the evidence of one witness in criminal courts granted by section 36 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 to offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 beyond those involving egg collection; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Corroboration of evidence is an important safeguard in our system of justice and there are no plans to consider extending the acceptance of the evidence of one witness in criminal courts to other offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Ministry of Defence Clothing Organisation
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to attract the Ministry of Defence Clothing Organisation to Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Scottish Office officials are in regular contact with the Ministry of Defence on a wide range of issues.

  Prison Suicide
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) suicides and (b) attempted suicides have taken place in custody, including police stations, in Scotland in each of the past 10 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the number of suicides in custody over the past 10 years is set out in the table. There are difficulties with the definition of attempted suicide and in any case such data are not collected centrally.

  Police custody

  Penal custody

  Total

  1984

  0

  5

  5

  1985

  1

  6

  7

  1986

  2

  7

  9

  1987

  1

  7

  8

  1988

  0

  7

  7

  1989

  2

  6

  8

  1990

  0

  3

  3

  1991

  0

  4

  4

  1992

  4

  9

  13

  1993

  1

  5

  6

  Timber
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government are taking to promote timber from sustainably managed forests.

  Sir Hector Monro
  In January 1994 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland launched the United Kingdom sustainable forestry programme, a comprehensive statement of the Government's policies for the sustainable management of the United Kingdom's forests and for helping other countries in the sustainable management of theirs.

  The Government have every confidence in the standards that are applied to the production of timber from British forests. Through its approval of plans of operations, the Forestry Commission is able to ensure that timber is grown and harvested in accordance with guidelines that are founded on the principle of sustainable forestry; The Commission, with the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, has published today a booklet describing the means we use to ensure that the felling and regeneration of woodland and the creation of new woodland is done with proper regard to the environment. The booklet will serve to assure buyers of products made from British timber that they can do so in the knowledge that our forests are managed responsibily. I have arranged for copies of the booklet to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Internationally, the Government will participate fully in efforts to promote sustainable forest management as we indicated in the United Kingdom sustainable forestry programme. Later this month the Government are hosting jointly with India an international workshop to help prepare for the 1995 meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development at which forestry will be a key theme. The main objective of the workshop is to develop possible formats for national reporting to the CSD on forestry issues to allow progress to be assessed on the implementation of the forest principles adopted at the UN conference on environment and development—UNCED—and the forestry aspects of agenda 21 and other UNCED agreements.
  357
  The Government are also taking forward the action points that were agreed last year at the European Forestry Ministers conference in Helsinki at which I represented the United Kingdom. One of the main aims of the follow-up is to develop standards for sustainable forestry which might form the basis for promoting international agreement.

  Seal Shooting
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a specific guideline has been given in the guidelines issued by his Department to chief constables relating to the issuing of firearms certificates with regard to permission to shoot seals in the vicinity of creels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 7 July 1994]: No specific guideline relating to the shooting of seals has been given to chief constables in guidance provided on the issuing of firearm certificates. The issuing of firearm certificates and any restrictive conditions imposed on them are operational matters for each chief constable.

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

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 7 July 1994]: The title pages of all news releases from the Scottish Office are of recycled paper. Percentages of recycled paper depend on the length of releases, which vary from day to day.

  No written answers to parliamentary questions are printed on recycled paper. The paper used, however, is from renewable timber produced on a full sustained basis and is bleached without the use of chlorine gas.

  The ministerial and official headed paper used by my Department is made from recycled paper.

  Health Visitors
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the proportion of health visitors to children in each health board area in September 1992.

  Financial year

  Number of offers made

  Value £ thousands

  Number of offers accepted

  Actualrs expenditure incurred £ thousands

  Scotland

  1991–92

  69

  1,578

  51

  1,210

  1992–93

  103

  2,401

  95

  1,452

  1993–94

  87

  1,969

  72

  1,714

  Fife

  1991–92

  13

  285

  11

  50

  1992–93

  9

  223

  7

  191

  1993–94

  9

  223

  8

  121

  The European Commission and other Government Departments such as the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Defence are also actively involved in assisting projects which fall within their particular spheres of responsibility.
  358
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 July 1994]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Health Visitors1 2 per 1000 children aged under 5: (Whole time equivalent as at 30 September 19923)

  Numbers

  Scotland

  4·3

  Argyll and Clyde

  4·2

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3·6

  Borders

  3·8

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3·1

  Fife

  5·0

  Forth Valley

  5·0

  Grampian

  4·6

  Greater Glasgow

  4·4

  Highland

  3·4

  Lanarkshire

  4·2

  Lothian

  4·5

  Orkney

  3·

  Shetland

  4·1

  Tayside

  4·5

  Western Isles

  4·2

  1Excludes combined duty nurses and health visitors in training. Includes field work teachers.

  2Grades G to I. These staff are assumed to be qualified health visitors.

  3Population figures used in the above calculations are based on estimates for 30 June 1992.

  Research and Technology Grants
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number and value of Government and EC grants for research and technology offered to companies in Fife and Scotland for each year since 1991; and what was the actual take-up of grants by companies in(a) Fife and (b) Scotland in each of these years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 17 June 1994]: The innovation element of the regional enterprise grants scheme is the only company-related research and technology assistance for which my right hon. Friend has responsibility. The information relating to this scheme is as follows:

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Cross-border Co-operation
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he proposes to publish the reports on cross-border co-operation on public transport and other matters referred to in his statement of 17 June.
  359
  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The reports to which the hon. Gentleman refers were prepared to inform discussion at the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental conference held on 17 June rather than for publication. Details of discussions between Governments are confidential and I shall not be publishing the reports.

  Ballynahone Bog
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will designate Ballynahone bog as an area of special scientific interest.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Planning permission for the extraction of peat Ballynahone bog was granted in 1988 on the recommendation of the Planning Appeals Commission following a local public inquiry.

  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is reviewing the conservation status of certain habitats which come within the ambit of the EC directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. These include lowland raised bogs of which Ballynahone bog is an example.

  Hualon Corporation (Textiles)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he now has to review the decision to provide inward investment aid to encourage the Hualon Corporation to develop new textile facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Hualon project has been the subject of a detailed appraisal and scrutiny process not only by Her Majesty's Government but by the European Commission. I have no plans to review our decision to offer assistance in respect of the project.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the proposals to provide inward investment aid to encourage the Hualon Corporation to develop new textile facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  I and my ministerial colleagues have received four recent representations concerning the Hualon project, including two from the textile industry.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations his Department had with trade associations and individual companies in the textile and clothing sector prior to the decision to provide inward investment aid to encourage the Hualon Corporation to develop new textile facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Department responsible did not consult with either any individual company or trade association before reaching its decision. It did, however, seek the advice of leading independent internationally recognised consultants in the textile and clothing sector.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration he gave to the implications for existing textile producers prior to taking the decision to provide inward investment aid to encourage the Hualon Corporation to develop new textile facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
  360
  Mr. Tim Smith
  In deciding to offer selective financial assistance to this, or any other project, the Industrial Development Board is required to consider potential job displacement not only in Northern Ireland but in Great Britain. In this case the conclusion was that Hualon's products would compete principally with imported fabrics and therefore not cause any significant job displacement. This was also the conclusion of the European Commission which examined the project from a European perspective.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration he gave to the recent conviction in Taiwan of senior officials of the company prior to deciding to provide inward investment aid to encourage the Hualon Corporation to develop new textile facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  I have been fully aware for some time of the allegations against certain shareholders in Hualon Corporation in Taiwan but concluded that the allegations against certain individuals, which are currently unproven should not preclude IDB from offering assistance to a publicly quoted corporation with a long and successful commercial track record.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh about the sentencing of a 13-year-old Brahmbanbaria girl for illicit sex; and what further steps he will take to persuade the Bangladesh Government that the sentence should not be carried out.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are aware of this case. We understand that the police are taking measures to prevent the sentence being carried out.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the major human rights issues that he takes up with the Government of Bangladesh.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We and our European partners regularly discuss with the Bangladesh authorities a wide range of human rights issues, including the freedom of expression and the treatment of minorities.

  China
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for United Kingdom policy of the granting of most favoured nation status to China.

  Mr. Hurd
  The British and Hong Kong Governments supported the renewal by the United States of most favoured nation status for China. Non-renewal could have severely damaged Hong Kong's economy. The best way to advance rights in China is through a policy of economic engagement, not isolation.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he last raised with the Chinese Government the continuing transfer of Chinese people into Tibet;
  361
  (2) what information he has received on human rights in Tibetan prison camps;

  (3) what recent representations he has made to the Chinese Government to restore the rights and freedoms of Tibetans in Tibet.

  Mr. Hurd
  We continue to receive reports from non-governmental organisations and other sources about human rights abuses in Tibet and threats to Tibetan identity, including population transfer. We and our European Union partners have repeatedly expressed our concern to the Chinese authorities, including at this year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. In the Government's response of 1 July to the Foreign Affairs Committee's report on relations with China we again publicly expressed our concern on all these matters.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the Chinese Government's adherence to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment;

  (2) what information he has in respect of reports of torture in detention centres and prisons in China.

  Mr. Hurd
  There continue to be disturbing reports of torture and other abuses in Chinese detention centres and prisons. As is made clear in the Government's response to the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on relations with China, we urge the Chinese Government to implement fully their obligations under the convention against torture and the other conventions to which China is signatory.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken to encourage the Chinese Government to review its policy on freedom of religion.

  Mr. Hurd
  We and our European Union partners have repeatedly raised this and other human rights issues. The European Union, for example, expressed its concern in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights about the regulations concerning religious practice which had been promulgated in January.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relationship with China.

  Mr. Hurd
  We wish to develop a wide-ranging relationship with China. The future of Hong Kong is a central issue; as permanent members of the UN Security Council, we are in close touch on international issues; we conduct a dialogue on human rights; and we week actively to increase Britain's economic links with the fast-growing Chinese market.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking to ensure that any product exported from China does not come from prison camp labour.

  Mr. Hurd
  The import of prison made goods is banned by the 1897 Foreign Prison Made Goods Act (amended 1988). HM Customs and Excise is responsible for enforcing the Act's provisions, in response to evidence supplied by others.
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  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the Chinese Government to undertake an urgent review of the death penalty.

  Mr. Hurd
  This issue was stressed in the report by Lord Howe's delegation which was published last year. The European Union has urged the Chinese authorities to restrict the use and the arbitrary application of the death penalty.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on the number of prisoners held in forced labour camps in China.

  Mr. Hurd
  We have no precise information on the number of prisoners held in so-called "re-education through labour" camps. Estimates range from 1 to 10 million.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on nuclear weapon testing carried out in China.

  Mr. Hurd
  We have made clear that we regret the test carried out by China at its Lop Nor site on 10 June. The Chinese Government have however repeatedly stated their commitment to the comprehensive test ban treaty negotiations in Geneva. We welcome their contribution to these negotiations.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees meeting in Geneva on 22 June at which Sri Lankan repatriation programmes were discussed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The meeting focused on the bilateral agreement signed in January between Switzerland and Sri Lanka on the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers. The main purpose was to enable nongovernmental organisations to discuss how they might best monitor the cases of those returning to Sri Lanka under the agreement.

  Palestine
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the setting up of the Palestinian administration in the former occupied territories; and what consequent communications he has made to the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the appointment of members of the Palestinian authority, and the good start made by the Palestinian police. We have told Arafat that we will continue to provide practical support to the new Administration.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing to the new Palestinian Administration in Gaza and Jericho.

  Mr. Hurd
  In response to the urgent needs of the Palestinian authority, Her Majesty's Government have
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  decided to provide an extra £5 million of bilateral assistance this year. some £3 million will be for immediate running costs, and £2 million for increased technical cooperation. Part of these funds will be for the Palestinian police. This will help meet the urgent requirements in the key area of maintaining law and order.

  The success of the new Palestinian Administration in Gaza and Jericho is critical for the future of the peace process. Provision of start-up costs is an immediate need.

  Her Majesty's Government have previously announced their intention to contribute £70 million of assistance to the Palestinians and the peace process during 1994–95 and 1996–97, through bilateral and multilateral channels. Many programmes are already underway. Their focus is support for the structures of Palestinian Administration: the police, for whom we are already providing training and equipment; the Palestinian Monetary Authority; legal structures and the judiciary; water management and health care. We are also providing assistance for the planned Palestinian elections.

  Antarctic Treaty
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedure for consultation with non-governmental organisations he intends to follow with respect to the preparations for United Kingdom participation in the inter-sessional Antarctic treaty consultative meeting on liability scheduled to take place in The Hague in October.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The German and Dutch Governments have very recently invited us to attend a group of experts meeting on liability from 7 to 9 November.

  We have not yet had an opportunity to consider what consultations may be appropriate before that meeting.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to promote the guidelines for visitors and expedition organisers to the Antarctic, agreed at the 18 Antarctic treaty consultative meeting held in Kyoto, Japan, in April.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The guidelines for visitors and expedition organisers have been published as part of Command Paper 2580 and were sent to the Association of British Travel Agents in May.

  We shall discuss with others, including the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, how best to promote these guidelines more widely.

  Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate the mechanism by which regional representatives are nominated to the European Committee of the Regions; and if he will also publish the names of representatives currently nominated by United Kingdom region and the term of office they have yet to serve.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Each member state nominates the number of members allocated to it in article 198a of the treaty, and an equal number of alternate members. Members and alternate members are appointed for four years by the Council, acting unanimously on these 364
  nominations. The term of office for United Kingdom members and alternate members runs until 25 January 1998. United Kingdom members and alternate members are as follows:

  Committee of the Regions

    United Kingdom Members of the COR
    England

    Councillor Simon Day

    Lady Elizabeth Anson, DL, JP

    Sir Peter Bowness, CBE, DL

    Councillor Colin Warbrick, CBE

    Councillor Christopher Penn

    Councillor Toby Harris

    Councillor Albert Bore

    Councillor Josie Farrington

    Councillor George Gill

    Councillor Dennis Pettitt

    Councillor Janet Silett

    Councillor Graham Tope

    Councillor David Belottie

    Councillor Roy Cross

    Scotland

    Councillor Charles Gray

    Councillor Rosemary McKenna

    Councillor Brian Meek

    Councillor Duncan McPherson

    Councillor Daniel Coffey, JP

    Wales

    Councillor John Evans

    Lord Lloyd Kenyon (Councillor)

    Councillor Eurig Wyn

    Northern Ireland

    Councillor Reg Empey

    Councillor Dennis Haughey

    United Kingdom Alternate Members of the COR
    England

    Councillor John Morgan, OBE

    Councillor Doreen Fleming, OBE

    Councillor Fraser Mitchell

    Councillor Elgar Jenkins, OBE

    Councillor Paul White

    Councillor John Battye

    Councillor Hedley Salt

    Councillor Kenneth Bodfish

    Councillor Ian Swithinbank

    Councillor Sally Powell

    Councillor Peter Soulsby

    Councillor Peter Cocks, CBE

    Councillor Tony Prior

    Councillor Milner Whiteman

    Scotland

    Councillor Keith Geddes

    Councillor Jean McFadden

    Councillor Marcus Humphrey

    Councillor Peter Peacock

    Councillor Clive Sneddon

    Wales

    Councillor Keith Griffiths

    Councillor Bill Hughes

    Councillor Jill Evans

    Northern Ireland

    Councillor Simpson Gibson

    Alderman Sean Neeson

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.
  365
  Mr. Jack
  From records currently available, I am not aware of any such instances. It is the Department's policy to let contracts on the basis of value for money.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Bicycles
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what facilities the Cabinet Office provides for the parking of bicycles of visitors to its offices in Westminster.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him yesterday at columns 267–68.

HEALTH

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list her Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy and the Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department which have a statutory basis.

  Mr. Sackville
  The following is the information:

  Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee;

  British Pharmacopoeia Commission;

  Clinical Standards Advisory Group;

  Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials;

  Committee on the Safety of Medicines;

  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation;

  Medicines Commission;

  Standing Dental Advisory Committee;

  Standing Medical Advisory Committee;

  Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee;

  Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee;

  Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she 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. Sackville
  The Government are required to consult the Medicines Commission prior to proposals for legislation. They are not required to publish their response to advice from any advisory bodies.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department which are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament.

  Mr. Sackville
  The British Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Medicines Commission and the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the advisory bodies she has set up in her Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993".
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  Mr. Sackville
  The Advisory Committee on the Registration of Homeopathic Products and the Effectiveness Review of Policy on Services for Drug Misusers.

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

  Mr. Sackville
  The British Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Committee on the Safety of Medicines, the Joint Planning Advisory Committee, the National Health Service Advisory Service and the Medicines Commission.

  NHS Management
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements exist to publish the national management letters on the national health service, referred to in paragraph 36 of "Accounting for Independent Audit", published jointly by her and other Departments.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Obstetric Cholestasis
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to fund research into the cause, detection and treatment of obstetric cholestasis and its epidemiology;

  (2) what is the current incidence of obstetric cholestasis;

  (3) if she has sought evidence from abroad as to any link between still births and obstetric cholestasis;

  (4) what the Government are doing to ensure that health professionals know about obstetric cholestasis.

  Mr. Sackville
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The council is always willing to consider for support soundly based new scientific proposals in competition with other applications.

  As to the incidence of obstetric cholestasis, the medical literature suggests that one pregnancy in 1,000 is affected by the condition. Some of the material on this subject has come from abroad, in particular the United States.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 22 June at column 198 for information for health professionals.

  Drug Addiction
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the change in the number of registered child drug addicts; and what plans she has to tackle the problem.

  Mr. Bowis
  Year on year changes in the number of registered drug addicts, and of registered child drug addicts in particular, should be interpreted carefully because, while changes in the figures may indicate that there are more young addicts, they may also indicate more coming forward for treatment or a higher rate of compliance with reporting arrangements.

  The Government will continue to develop prevention and publicity campaigns alerting parents and young people

  367
  to the dangers of drug misuse. Guidance issued by the Department of Health in April, EL(94)11 and subsequent letter, encouraged health authorities to review the needs of drug misusers locally and ensure that the range and choice of treatment services available included provision, where appropriate, for young people. Copies of the guidance and letter are available in the Library.

  Beta-agonists
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has conducted into the health effects of prolonged low-level consumption of(a) clenbuterol and (b) other beta-agonists.

  Mr. Sackville
  Clenbuterol is not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and the Department has not conducted any research specifically into the health effects of its prolonged low level consumption. A large number of beta-agonists are licensed for the treatment of asthma on the basis of evidence of quality, efficacy and safety assessed by the licensing authority. A working party of the Committee of Safety of Medicines was set up in May 1991 to review information on the safety of beta-agonists in the treatment of patients with asthma. Its findings were published in the bulletin "Current Problems no. 33" in February 1992, a copy of which is available in the Library. This concluded that beta-agonists are of value in the relief of symptoms of asthma and that the overall benefits of treatment with beta-agonists outweigh the risk of any side effects.

  Children
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the progress by January 1994 towards implementation of the United Nations convention on the rights of children; and if she will give it a star rating.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is set out in the United Kingdom's first report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, which was published in March. Copies are available in the Library.

  Children's Beds, East London
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 534, if she will list the NHS trusts and health authorities responsible for the provision of children's wards and beds in east London; and what arrangements are made for an overall regional perspective beyond the boundary of each unit.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Two health authorities, East London and the City and Redbridge and Waltham Forest, are responsible for arranging services to meet the health needs of people in East London. In-patient services for children are provided at the Royal Hospitals national health service trust, Newham Healthcare NHS trust and Forest Healthcare NHS trust in addition to the Queen Elizabeth hospital for children, Hackney.

  North Thames regional health authority is responsible for holding all its health authorities to account for the provision of appropriate services for their populations.

  Assessment (Consultants and GPs)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress her Department is making on assessment of(a) consultants and (b) general practitioners; and what are the reasons for the differences between assessment of these two groups.

  Dr. Mawhinney:
  Consultants and general practitioners are not at present subject to assessment. Assessment needs to be linked to a formal scheme of continuing medical education. These are issues explored in a consultation paper launched at a conference on 13 June chaired by the Government's Chief Medical Officer. The consultation period ends on 30 September. Copies of the document will be placed in the Library.

  Ex-service men
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority is given to ex-service men and women within the national health service; and what steps her Department takes to ensure that this is widely known throughout the national health service.

  Mr. Sackville
  Ex-service men and women do not normally have priority within the national health service. However, if they are war pensioners they are entitled to receive priority examination and treatment for the condition or conditions for which they receive a pension or received a gratuity. Health service guidelines (94)28 dated 16 May, which is standing guidance, reminded the national health service about this entitlement. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Dental Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the people living in the family health service authority covering Hornsey and Wood Green are currently registered as national health service dental patients; and what is the figure for Britain as a whole.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  As patients are free to register with a dentist outside the family health services authority area where they live the information requested is not available. At 30 April 1994 the proportion of the population registered with a dentist in Great Britain was 57·8 per cent.

  Health Care For People With Disabilities
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role will be played by her Department in the forthcoming consultation on disability; and if she will publish a consultation paper on countering unfair discrimination in health provision and the health service.

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People, will be co-ordinating action on this front and will involve other departments as necessary.

  The national health service provides services for everybody on the basis of their clinical need. A consultation paper on this will not therefore be necessary.

  NHS Supplies Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 26 April,Official Report, column 152, on the NHS Supplies Authority, what

  369
  percentage savings in Supplies Authority purchasing costs was assessed by its consultants as achievable as at April 1994 for the divisions for whom benchmarking comparisons were carried out; whether such savings have been achieved across all divisions over each of the last six months; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available in the form requested. For 1993–94 the National Health Service Supplies Authority was targeted to achieve purchasing cost savings of £57 million, or four per cent. of the value of all contracts negotiated in the year. The actual saving achieved was £71·65 million, broken down as follows:

  Division/Unit

  Savings (£ million)

  National Purchasing Unit

  36·55

  Central

  6·31

  North East

  6·50

  North Thames Anglia

  4·27

  North West

  6·45

  South and West

  5·96

  South East

  5·60

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice: she offers fund-holding general practitioners on how to reduce the cost of hospital treatment required by their patients;

  (2) to what extent she expects a fund-holding general practitioner to follow his patient's wishes with regard to the choice of hospital to which they are sent for treatment;

  (3) what advice she has given to fund-holding general practitioner's with regard to the number of hospitals they hold contracts with.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  General practitioner fundholders are able to purchase services on behalf of their patients and, in consultation with them, from whichever hospital offers the best quality care and value for money.

  World Health Organisation
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role she plays in exercising oversight of the operations of the World Health Organisation.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Each year a Minister from the Department attends the world health assembly, the annual meeting of the World Health Organisation, at which the operations of the organisation are discussed. We also receive reports from the Chief Medical Officer on the meetings of the executive board of the World Health Organisation and the European Regional Committee meeting, and on all other major developments.

  Negligence Claims
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical negligence claims have been made against NHS hospitals and NHS trust hospitals in each of the last eight years; what was the cost of those claims for each year, including(a) compensation legal costs and (b) fees paid to doctors for medical opinions; and what was the average time taken from commencement of complaint to settlement.
  370
  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 14 March at columns 537–38 and on 10 May at columns 84–85.

  Dementia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce a national monitoring system of those suffering from dementia.

  Mr. Bowis
  It if for each health authority to assess and monitor the health needs of their population including people suffering from dementia and, together with local authorities, to provide a range of appropriate services.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she intends to take to improve support for those suffering from dementia who live alone.

  Mr. Bowis
  Health authorities and local authorities are required to assess the health and social care needs of their population and to make appropriate arrangements to meet those needs. Such assessments will identify additional care and support services needed by those living alone.

  Infertility
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to collect information from district health authorities regarding their policies on the purchase of in vitro fertilisation treatment, and the number of district health authorities who currently provide IVF treatment.

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no plans to collect information centrally on the purchase or provision by district health authorities of in vitro fertilisation treatment.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the limiting by health authorities of IVF treatment to women of 34 years and under.

  Mr. Sackville
  Decisions about the availability of IVF treatment are for individual health authorities. Advice is available to health authorities and clinicians in two publications drawn to the attention of the National Health Service in 1992:

  (a) The Effective Health Care Bulletin on management of subfertility, published for the NHS Management Executive by a consortium of Leeds and York universities and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians.

  (b) The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists publication "Infertility—Guidelines For Practice".

  Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the effects on health experienced by couples unable to have children of their own;

  (2) what analysis has been made of the implications of childlessness upon marriage stability in infertile couples;

  (3) what information she has available on the effect on mental health in couples who are unable to have children of their own.

  Mr. Sackville
  There have been studies on the effects of childlessness in couples carried out by independent
  371
  researchers, some of which are referred to in the Effective Health Care bulletin series entitled "The Management of Subfertility". The position is summarised as follows:
  "There is some evidence that subfertility causes considerable emotional stress and distress in some couples, which effects many areas of their life. Subfertility may result in social handicap preventing fulfilment of social roles and realisation of personal and societal expectations for parenthood."

  The bulletin was made available to the national health service in 1992. Copies are available in the Library.

  Contracts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what occasions in the last 10 years she or a Minister in her Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.

  Mr. Sackville
  There have been no such occasions.

  NHS Trust Membership
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each national health service trust in the former Yorkshire 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 5 July 1994]: A total of 133 of the 150—89 per cent.—chairmen and non-executive directors appointed to a national health service trust within the former Yorkshire region live within the boundaries of the district health authority in which that trust is situated. The names of those who live outside the relevant district health authority boundaries are listed.

  Harrogate Health Care NHS Trusts

  Mrs. J. Wesson

  East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mrs. S. Smith

  Royal Hull Hospitals NHS Trust

  Dr. N. Varey

  Grimsby Health NHS Trust

  Mrs. M. Clarke

  Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals

  Mrs. E. Redfearn

  Mrs. L. Stone

  Scunthorpe Community Health NHS Trust

  Mr. B. Beaumont

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Walker

  Mr. C. Thomas

  Dr. G. Alderson

  Bradford Community NHS Trust

  Professor M. Schofield

  Huddersfield NHS Trust

  Mr. J. Dyson

  Calderdale Health Care NHS Trust

  Dr. I. Hughes

  Leeds Community and Mental Health Services Teaching

  Ms S. Tate

  Professor G. Wistow

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  United Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. T. John

  St. James's University Hospital NHS Trust

  Miss E. Lorrimar

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each national health service trust in the former North East 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 5 July 1994]: Ninety of the 168 chairmen and non-executive directors appointed to a national health service trust within the former North East Thames region live within the boundaries of the district health authority in which that trust is situated. The names of those who live outside the relevant district health authority boundaries are listed.

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood Community Health Care NHS Trust

  Mr. O. Barnes

  Mr. W. Kirwan

  Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. J. Smale

  Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Mr. M. Creeger

  Rabbi Julia Neuberger

  Mrs. S. Peters

  Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. W. Brown

  Mrs. S. Cooper

  Mr. I. Doherty

  Mr. A. Felix

  Mr. G. Griffiths

  Mrs. J. Higgins

  Enfield Community Care NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Bohrer

  Mrs. A. Killick

  Mr. E. Walters

  Mr. D. Walters

  Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. Jones

  Mr. P Woods

  Forest Healthcare NHS Trust

  Lord Jenkin

  Haringey Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mrs. H. Malcolm

  Mrs. M. Wakelin-Saint

  Havering Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mrs. H. Aitken

  Mrs. G. Botwright

  Mr. G. Jennings

  Mr. I Kirkpatrick

  Mr. T. Williams

  Hospitals for Sick Children NHS Trust

  Sir Brian Hill

  Sir Robert Clarke

  Professor R. Levinsky

  Mrs. M. Bradshaw

  Mr. R. Horne

  Miss J. Laing

  Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Munro

  Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. H. Peppiatt

  Mr. J. Brighouse

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  Mrs. R. Gilmore

  Mrs. J. Goffe

  New Possibilities NHS Trust

  Mrs. M. Attwood

  Newham Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mrs. R. Walters

  Ms D. Williams

  Mr. R. Braithwaite

  Mr. S. Innes

  North Middlesex NHS Trust

  Mr. J. Dixon

  Mr. S. Hilliard

  Professor N. McIntyre

  Mrs. J. Ross

  Redbridge Health Care NHS Trust

  Mr. M. Smith

  Royal Free, Hampstead NHS Trust

  Baroness Gardner of Parkes

  Mr. L. Licht

  Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew, The Royal London Hospital and London Chest Hospital NHS Trust

  Sir Derek Boorman

  Mr. S. Gray

  Ms L. Knox

  Royal London Homeopathic Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Chris

  Mrs. M. Cooper

  Mr. R. Jones

  Mr. D. Maxwell

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  Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Field

  Mrs. J. Flindall

  Mr. R. Franklin

  Mr. W. Grassick

  Mr. N. Proddow

  Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital NHS Trust

  Lady Butterworth

  Mr. S. Cox

  Mr. K. Gardner

  Mr. A. Dudley

  Mr. K. Stevens

  Dr. F. Thompson

  Southend Health Care NHS Trust

  Mr. D. Friend

  Mrs. M. Tucker

  Tavistock and Portman Clinics NHS Trust

  Mr. A. Vineall

  Mr. R. Morris

  Sir James Gowans

  Thameside Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. Mee

  University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

  Sir Ronald Mason

  Baroness Dean

  Mr. P. Brading

  Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. C. Marks

  Mr. L. Rice