Written Answers of 15 June 1994

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Desertification Convention
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to announce a change in funds to combat desertification at the signing of the desertification convention in Paris in June.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis) on 14 April at column 257.

  We have no plans to make an announcement in Paris, but we will consider our position in the light of the agreement reached.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality have been outstanding for(a) more than one year, (b) more than two years and (c) more than three years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  On 31 May 1994, there were 11,388 applications for British citizenship in the nationality division which had been outstanding for more than one year, of which 2,915 had been outstanding for more than two years, including 818 for more than three years.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time taken to process applications for British nationality; and what were the average times taken in 1979, 1984 and 1989.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Average waiting times for certificates of British citizenship issued in May 1994 were 15 months for naturalisations and 11 months for registrations; and in May 1989, 22 and 18 months respectively. Comparable figures for 1984 and 1979 are not available, but average waiting times for the first quarter of 1985—calculated on a different basis—were 13 and 11 months, and for 1979, 25 months for naturalisations.

  Migration Statistics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants have entered the United Kingdom in the last 10 years; and if he will provide a breakdown of the ages and nationalities contained within this figure;

  (2) how many people have emigrated from the United Kingdom in the last 10 years; and if he will provide a breakdown of the ages and nationalities contained with this figure.
  558
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on immigration and emigration from the United Kingdom is provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from the international passenger survey, which defines a migrant as a person leaving one country where he or she has been a resident for a year or longer with the intention of residing in another country for a year or longer. In the 10 years 1983–92, the total numbers of intending immigrants and emigrants were 2.31 million and 2.09 million respectively. These figures include British citizens and other EC nationals, but exclude migration between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Analyses of the annual data by broad nationality and by broad age group are given in tables 2.1 and 2.9 respectively of the OPCS publication "International Migration, 1992", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Data for 1993 are not yet available.

  As the IPS data are based on intentions to migrate, it is highly likely that they exclude persons seeking asylum after entering the country and other persons admitted as short-term visitors who are subsequently granted an extension of stay for a year or longer. It is estimated that there were around 200,000 such persons in 1983–92, net of persons leaving the United Kingdom for a short-term period who stayed overseas for longer than originally intended.

  The OPCS data include temporary migration for a year or longer by, for example, students and workers. Home Office data on immigration relate to the number of persons accepted for settlement—that is, allowed to stay indefinitely. There were 514,000 such persons in the 10-year period 1984–93. Analyses by nationality of the annual data for 1984–92 and 1993 are given in table 6.5 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1992", Cm 2368, and table 1.1 of the statistical bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Third and Fourth Quarters and Year 1993", issue 9/94, respectively. An analysis by age of person is readily available only for 1992 and is given in table 6.2 of Cm 2368. Copies of both Home Office publications are also in the Library.

  DTELS
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to pay the residual expenses arising from the privatisation of DTELS.

  Mr. Howard
  DTELS—formerly the Directorate of Telecommunications—was sold on 1 March 1994 to National Transcommunications Ltd. for £6.6 million. The balance of proceeds, after payment of expenses relating to 1993–94, was surrendered to the Consolidated Fund in March 1994.

  There are further expenses arising from the sale to be paid in 1994–95. Parliamentary approval for this new service will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the Home Office's administration, immigration, probation and police support services vote, class VIII, vote 3. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £800,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Cash Limits
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for changes to the 1994–95 cash limits within his responsibilities and to the Home Office running costs limit.
  559
  Mr. Howard
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class VIII, vote 3—Home Office administration, immigration, probation and police support services, England and Wales—will be increased by £442,000 from £1,212,240,000 to £1,212,682,000. This will enable repayment of an advance from the contingencies fund of £800,000 for residual payments, which are not included in the public expenditure control total, in connection with the privatisation of the Directorate of Telecommunications: the amount required is reduced because of transfers totalling £358,000 out of the vote to other Government Departments. In consequence of these transfers, the Home Office gross running cost limit will be reduced by £358,000 from £1,706,534,000 to £1,706,176,000.

  The local authority capital non-voted HO/LACAP cash limit will be increased by £421,000 from £121,870,000 to £122,291,000. The additional provision results from the transfer of supplementary credit approvals from the Welsh Office's non-voted cash limit WO/LACAP for the purpose of the replacement of fire service mobilisation and communications systems, to allow the Home Office to hold and issue the entire provision of fire supplementary credit approvals for both England and Wales. The increase will be offset by a transfer and will not therefore add to the planned total of expenditure.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the fire service is required to attend train and plane crashes not involving fires; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Under section 1 of the Fire Services Act 1947, a fire authority has a duty to make provision for firefighting purposes, and in particular to secure the services of a fire brigade and equipment in order to meet efficiently all normal requirements. Section 3(1)(e) of the 1947 Act gives a fire authority supplementary powers to employ its brigade for purposes other than firefighting. This may include attendance at train and aircraft accidents not involving fires.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of fatalities resulting from fires in buildings built since 1979 for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This information is not available from the statistics collected from fire brigades.

  Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to take steps, ahead of Royal Assent, to implement any provisions of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill.

  Mr. Howard
  I intend that the new police authorities should be set up this autumn to prepare for the assumption of their full responsibilities from 1 April 1995. Under the terms of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill currently before Parliament, the new authorities will include independent members who are neither councillors nor magistrates. I intend to undertake an advertising exercise at a cost not exceeding £40,000, so that members of the public can apply for appointment as an independent 560
  member of their police authority. No appointments will be made until the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill has become law. The appointments will be made by the councillor and magistrate members of the new police authorities.

  Parliamentary approval for expenditure on this new service will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the Home Office administration, immigration, probation and police support services, England and Wales vote, class VIII, vote 3. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £40,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

TREASURY

  Taxation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department is to make as to the effect of the recent tax increases on economic recovery within the Greater London area.

  Mr. Nelson
  The forecast for economic growth this year, including Greater London, takes full account of the effect of the tax increases announced in last year's Budgets. A number of recent indicators, including manufacturing output, retail sales, and new car registrations, suggest that the economy is continuing to recover.

  Civil Servants (Outside Appointments)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job offers were reported by staff in his Department under the requirements of the rules on the acceptance of outside appointments in each of the last 10 years by(a) staff of grade 3 and above, (b) staff below grade 3, (c) staff in sections concerned with procurement or contract work, under section 15 of the rules of 1 February 1993 and (d) staff in other sections, under section 14; and how many of these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Treasury only holds records on the information requested from 1987. The answer to each question is as follows:

  (a) Six: one in 1990, three in 1991, one in 1992 and one in 1993. All were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  (b) No records are held centrally because they are notified to line managers.

  (c) Six in 1993, and one in 1994. None of these has been followed by applications to join any of the Companies concerned.

  (d) No central records are held for staff below grade 3 because they are notified to line managers. Details for staff at grade 3 and above are listed at (a).

  Gilts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of British gilts were bought by foreign purchasers in each of the last three years and for 1994 to date.

  Mr. Nelson
  A sectoral breakdown of purchases of Government securities is given at table 10.2F of the Central Statistical Office's "Financial Statistics".

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Simon Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the most recent Council meeting of the European Economic and Finance Ministers.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Economic and Finance Council of the European Union—ECOFIN—in Luxembourg on 6 June.

  The Council discussed follow-up work to the Brussels European Council conclusions on the Commission's White Paper on "Growth, Competitiveness and Employment." The Council endorsed a report from the Economic Policy Committee on labour markets which stressed the need for structural reforms and greater flexibility. The Council welcomed the indication from the President of the European Commission that he was ready to pursue the suggestion made by the German Minister for the establishment of an independent task force to consider deregulation. The Council considered reports from the European Commission and the European investment bank of trans-European networks.

  Most Ministers agreed that there was insufficient evidence to show that a "financing gap" existed regarding TENs. The presidency will present a report to the Corfu European Council summarising the views expressed at ECOFIN.

  The Council approved a recommendation on broad economic guidelines for consideration by the Corfu European Council in accordance with article 103(2) of the treaty.

  The Council adopted the decision allowing the Community to participate in the European investment fund. I am placing in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of that decision and the associated EIF statute.

  The Council took note of the work of a high-level group on possible taxes on carbon and energy, which would report to the Environment Council on 8–9 June, and concluded that final responsibility for taxation matters rests with the ECOFIN Council.

  Finally, the Council also had a brief general discussion on fraud. However, a substantive discussion was deferred until July when detailed conclusions are expected to be adopted.

  There were no formal votes.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the Inland Revenue's cash and running costs limits for 1994–95.
  562
  Mr. Dorrell
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class XVII vote 5 will be reduced by £51,462,000 from £1,704,123,000 to £1,652,661,000 and the running costs limits will be increased by £25,738,000 to £1,714,655,000. The cash limit reduction allows for £362,000 to be transferred to the Lord Chancellor's Department—class IX, vote 1—in respect of the transfer of responsibility to that Department for the costs of the general commissioners of income tax. The balance of the cash limit reduction and the increase in the running costs limit arise from the outsourcing of some of the Department's information technology work to EDS Scicon Ltd. on 1 July 1994. This involves switching capital expenditure into running costs.

LORD CHANCELLORS'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Services Ombudsman
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department when the legal services ombudsman intends to publish his third annual report.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The legal services ombudsman has today published his third annual report.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to implement the recommendations in the Law Commission's report, "Domestic Violence and Occupation of the Family Home."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government have decided to implement almost all the recommendations contained in the report and consider them to provide a firm basis upon which to reform the law relating to the civil remedies for domestic violence and occupation of the family home. Legislation to implement the recommendations will be introduced when a suitable opportunity occurs.

  The Government have not accepted the recommendation to give the police the power to take civil action on behalf of victims of domestic violence or the recommendation for two of the proposed new categories of associated persons who would be able to apply for non-molestation and occupation orders.

  The categories which have not been accepted are people
  "who have at any time agreed to marry each other (whether or not that agreement has been terminated)"
  and people
  "who have or have had a sexual relationship with each other (whether or not including sexual intercourse)".

TRANSPORT

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running costs limits for 1994–95.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate and supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:

  (i) the cash limit for class VI, vote 1—Highways Agency—will be reduced by £3,500,000 from £2,102,028,000 to £2,098,528,000 to give effect to the transfer of expenditure on the Woolwich ferry to class VI, vote 5;

  (ii) the cash limit for class VI, vote 5—local roads and transport—will be increased by £2,855,000 from £530,049,000 to £532,904,000. The increase is made up of a transfer from class VI, vote 1 of £3,500,000 offset by a transfer to DoT/LACAP of £645,000 which will therefore increase DoT/LACAP cash limit by £645,000 from £290,713,000;

  (iii) the cash limit for class VI, vote 2—administration and transport services—will be increased by £1,015,000 from £234,410,000 to £235,425,000. Additional provision is required for residual expenses in connection with the sale of DVOIT at £15,000 and for the sale of the Transport Research Laboratory at £1,000,000.

  The overall increase will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Accidents (Agricultural Machinery)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the number of accidents involving a tractor or other agricultural machinery on public roads and (b) the number of fatalities resulting from such accidents for each of the past eight years; and if he will make a statement.

  £ million

  Department of Transport expenditure

  Local authority expenditure

  Year

  Trunk roads—capital

  Trunk road bridges—capital

  Trunk roads—current (routine)

  Principal roads—capital

  Bridges—capital

  Local roads—current

  Total

  1989–90

  240

  66

  104

  —

  —

  1,410

  1,820

  1990–91

  289

  87

  121

  —

  —

  1,665

  2,162

  1991–92

  307

  120

  145

  —

  80

  1,690

  2,342

  1992–93

  365

  116

  160

  117

  108

  1,788

  2,654

  1993–94

  403

  129

  162

  176

  146

  1,744

  2,760

  Notes:

  1. Local authority expenditure for capital work on principal roads and bridges is funded via transport supplementary grant.

  2. Local authority current expenditure is funded through revenue support grant paid by DOE based on the highways maintenance standard spending assessment.

  3. Figures for local authority expenditure in 1993–94 are budget figures.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what changes will be made to the cash limits or running costs limits for 1994–95 for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Brooke
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class XI, vote 7—Department of National Heritage administration—will be reduced by £3,080,000 from £24,680,000 to
  564
  Mr. Key
  It is not possible to identify tractors and agricultural machinery in the road injury accident data collection system. However, by linking road accident data with vehicle licencing information, it is possible to provide broad estimates of the information required since 1989, which are shown in the table.

  Injury road accidents involving agricultural machines1 Great Britain 1989–92

  Accidents

  1989

  684

  1990

  711

  1991

  850

  1992

  858

  1 Vehicles with a taxation class of "agricultural machine".

  Casualties: number of people killed in accidents involving agricultural machines1 in Great Britain 1989–92

  Killed

  1989

  32

  1990

  33

  1991

  25

  1992

  38

  1 Vehicles with a taxation class of "agricultural machine".

  Road Maintenance
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total public expenditure on road maintenance in England for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The figures are:

  £21,600,000. This results from the transfer of responsibility for the international passenger survey to the Central Statistical Office from the 1 April 1994.

  In addition, the Department of National Heritage gross running costs limit will be reduced by £3,080,000 from £31,008,000 to £27,928,000.

DEFENCE

  Army Manpower
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage reduction in British Army uniformed manpower strength since 1990.
  565
  Mr. Aitken
  Between 1 April 1990 and 1 May 1994, the uniformed strength—trained and untrained personnel—of the Regular Army has reduced by approximately 20 per cent.

  Navy Manpower
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage reduction in Royal Navy uniformed manpower strength since 1990.

  Mr. Aitken
  Between 1 April 1990 and 1 May 1994, the total uniformed strength—trained and untrained personnel—of the Royal Navy, including Royal Marines, has reduced by approximately 12 per cent.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to change the 1994–95(a) cash limit and (b) running costs limits for the Office of Public Service and Science.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate the cash limit for the Office of Public Service and Science, class XVIII, vote 1, will be decreased by £16,366,000 from £75,794,000 to £59,428,000 and the gross running cost limits will also be decreased by £15,745,000 from £95,751,000 to £80,006,000. The functions of the Offices of the Prime Minister, Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Counsel have been transferred to the Cabinet Office, class XIX, vote 1. The net running cost limits for the Civil Service college has been decreased by £1,244,000 from £1,800,000 to £556,000.

  The changes will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Science Budget
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what changes he proposes to the estimates class XVIII, vote 2—science.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The cash limit for this vote is being reduced by £13,030,272 to £1,225,526,728. The reduction is the net effect of the following. A reduction to £13,685,272 in respect of that expenditure of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which is being met from the receipts from the sale of
  the Plant Breeding Institute. An increase of £655,000 in respect of class 3 super-computing time, responsibilty for which is to transfer from the higher education funding councils for England, Wales and Scotland. The increase will be offset by transfers from class X, vote 2—education: higher and further education—of £542,000; class XIV, vote 17—Scotland and Forestry Commission: education, arts and libraries—of £79,000; and class XV, vote 4—Wales: training and education—of £34,000. The additional provision has been allocated to subhead A3—the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

  Civil Servants (Outside Appointments)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many job offers were reported by staff in his Department under the requirements of the rules on the 566
  acceptance of outside appointments in each of the last 10 years by (a) staff of grade 3 and above, (b) staff below grade 3, (c) staff in sections concerned with procurement or contract work, under section 15 of the rules of 1 February 1993 and (d) staff in other sections, under section 14; and how many of these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 June at column 371–72.

PRIME MINISTER

  Referendums
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of the referendums on(a) membership of the European Community and (b) Scottish devolution.

  The Prime Minister
  The cost to public funds of the 1975 referendum on membership of the European Community was £6,100,000. The 1979 referendum on devolution for Scotland cost £820,500.

  Finance
  Mr. Whitney
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements are being made to finance No. 10 Downing street, the Whips Offices, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the ceremonial branch.

  The Prime Minister:
  Responsibility for No. 10, the Whips Offices, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the ceremonial branch has been transferred, within the Cabinet Office, from the Office of Public Service and Science vote to the other services vote, with effect from 1 April 1994.

  Parliamentary approval of this transfer of expenditure will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the Cabinet Office other services vote, class XIX, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £7,365,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Cash Limits
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to change the 1994–95 cash limit or running costs limit for the Cabinet Office other services vote.

  The Prime Minister
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for Cabinet Office other services, class XIX, vote 1, will be increased by £16,366,000 from £27,015,000 to £43,381,000. At the same time the running costs limit will be increased by £15,467,000 from £26,295,000 to £41,762,000.

  The increase reflects the transfer of certain administrative functions and provision from the Cabinet Office Office of Public Service and Science vote, class XVIII, vote 1, and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

ENVIRONMENT

  Research Budget
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the current projects included in his Department's research budget; and what proportion of his Department's research budget is spent on research to improve standard spending assessments.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department is currently funding over 800 research projects. As the list of these projects runs to several pages, I will write to the hon. Member with a copy of the list.

  It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the proportion of my Department's current research budget which will be spent on research to improve standard spending assessments until the research is commissioned, but it is not expected to exceed 0.05 per cent. in 1994–95.

  Noise Legislation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review current noise disturbance legislation.

  Mr. Atkins
  In 1990 an independent noise review was established by my Department to consider all forms of control over noise pollution. It made several useful recommendations relating to improvement of the legislation which were considered carefully. As a result provisions were introduced into the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to strengthen the existing statutory nuisance duties and powers to control noise from domestic, industrial and commercial premises. These powers have been further extended by the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 to control noise from vehicles, machinery and equipment in the street. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of existing environmental noise legislation and are keen to ensure that it is used to its full effect.

  My Department continues to discuss all aspects of noise pollution and disturbance, including the scope for further improving the operation of the relevant legislation, with other Departments and a wide range of professional and voluntary organisations concerned with these issues.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estimated average annual water bill per household(a) before water metering and (b) after water metering; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The average household unmeasured water supply bill in England and Wales in 1994–95 is £94 and for a metered water supply it is £97. The average household charge for combined water and sewerage services is £199 for both measured and unmeasured services.

  Charges should not discriminate against metered customers. I am pleased that this year average measured household bills have fallen—by 1 per cent. for water and 3.8 per cent. for sewerage—ensuring a fairer balance in tariffs between measured and unmeasured customers.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase the planned level of total standard spending for 1995–96 to meet the transitional costs arising from local government reform in England.

  Mr. Curry
  For 1994–95 local authorities subject to reorganisation will be able to borrow to meet transitional costs. I expect that similar arrangements will apply for 1995–96 and subsequent years, and we shall take account of those arrangements in the local government finance settlement each year. The amount in 1995–96 will depend on decisions about areas to be reorganised which have yet to be made.

  Rivers and Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on the cost benefit analysis for flow restoration to the River Darent approved by his Department in December 1993.

  Mr. Atkins
  Yes. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to the Director General of Water Services in respect of the cost implications to water services plcs of action to be taken on those sites of special scientific interest and rivers identified as being adversely affected by water abstraction.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Director General of Water Services has been advised of the proposals by Thames Water Utilities Ltd. to spend £6 million on the river Darent low flow alleviation scheme, and of proposals by Suffolk—now Essex—Water to spend £0.65 million in helping to restore water levels in Redgrave and Lopham fen.

  Discussions are continuing on the cost implications of additional schemes for completion over the next few years.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what notification he has received from(a) the National Rivers Authority and (b) the statutory nature conservation agencies, regarding the investment necessary to remedy the adverse impacts of abstraction boreholes affecting rivers and sites of special scientific interest.

  Mr. Atkins
  The National Rivers Authority identified costs for remedial action for the River Darent of £7 million with an additional £5 million should subsequent testing under drought conditions indicate the need for further augmentation, and for Redgrave and Lopham fen, £2.8 million, approximately half of which is to be funded from the EC LIFE programme.

  The National Rivers Authority reported on 40 rivers requiring remedial action in its report "Low Flows and Water Resources", published in March 1993.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those rivers and sites of special scientific interest that have suffered adverse impacts of water abstraction boreholes.

  Mr. Atkins
  The National Rivers Authority listed 40 sites requiring remedial action in its report "Low Flows and Water Resources", published in March 1993.

  Biological Diversity
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made towards ratifying the United Nations convention on biological diversity.

  Mr. Atkins
  The United Kingdom ratified the convention on biological diversity on 3 June 1994. Before ratifying we had already demonstrated our commitment to the aims of the convention, domestically and internationally, through the production of our biodiversity action plan and through the financial and other assistance we have made available to help developing countries preserve their biodiversity. We look forward to playing a constructive and positive role in the convention and its meetings.

  Waste Imports and Exports
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide policy guidance on waste imports and exports.

  Mr. Atkins
  Last month a new control regime on waste shipments was introduced. The EC Waste Shipments Regulation and the United Kingdom's associated Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1994 came into effect on 6 May. This legislation enabled the United Kingdom to fulfil its obligations under the Basle convention, to which the United Kingdom became a party on 8 May.

  These obligations are based on the principle of national self-sufficiency in waste disposal. This principle is the means by which countries can be encouraged to take responsibility for disposing of the waste they generate. Thereby they are encouraged to minimise wastes—especially hazardous wastes—and to reuse and recycle, and to pursue policies of sustainable development.

  We must also have regard for other environmental responsibilities arising from our membership of the European Union and the global community. In implementing the Basle convention, we should not lose sight of these wider considerations.

  As a developed country, with ample disposal facilities to meet our waste arisings, we ourselves will have no need to export wastes for final disposal in other countries. The EC regulation prohibits such exports to countries outside the EC and EFTA the European Free Trade Association. We shall go further by proposing a complete prohibition on such exports to all countries.

  There is no equivalent case for a general ban on exports of wastes for recovery. But special considerations apply to the export of hazardous wastes for recovery in developing countries and countries in transition. At the second conference of the Basle convention in March, it was recognised that there is a high risk that such exports will not be managed in environmentally sound ways in the country of receipt. It was decided that, except in exceptional circumstances, trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to non-OECD states for the purposes of recovery should be prohibited. In the Government's opinion, this decision has now taken effect.

  Our policy towards imports is based on similar principles. In future, the presumption will be that wastes should not be imported for final disposal in this country. This applies both to landfill, either directly or indirectly,
  570
  and to incineration, and also to disposal under the guise of recovery—so-called "sham recovery". However, imports for genuine recovery operations, including energy recovery, will continue to be allowed.

  For most wastes, all other countries should now develop adequate final disposal facilities and there seems to be no reason to delay a prohibition of imports. There may, however, be special circumstances where imports of certain wastes for specialist disposal processes—and in particular for high temperature incineration—might be justified on wider environmental grounds for very limited periods and quantities. This would apply on a transitional and reducing basis where a country had not yet completed specialist disposal capacity or was dealing with a backlog inherited from a former communist regime in eastern Europe. We propose to develop strict criteria which would regulate any such continued imports. Our criteria would take account of the technical and environmental characteristics of the waste stream, and the circumstances of the exporting country. Except for small quantities particularly from developing countries, we would propose that the transitional period should not exceed three years at most.

  We do not contemplate importing from countries in a position to develop their own disposal facilities, but taking no action to do so. That would be quite contrary to our policy towards self-sufficiency. Nor would we allow imports which could not be safely handled and managed within the existing disposal capacity in the United Kingdom.

  We shall be making more detailed proposals on exports and imports in the form of a draft waste management plan. Associated with the plan will be technical guidance designed to assist competent authorities in making decisions. There will be a full opportunity for consultation on the draft plan and technical guidance before it is issued.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to make any changes to the cash limits in 1994–95.

  Mr. Gummer
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class VII, vote 8—revenue support grant, payments of non-domestic rates, Valuation Office services, etc., England—will be reduced by £2,900,000 from £29,635,066,000 to £29,632,166,000. This comprises a reduction of £4,400,000 in provision for Valuation Office rating services and an offsetting increase of £1,500,000 for Valuation Office banding and valuation services. Some £1,550,000 of the savings will be used to support increased expenditure on class VII, vote 12—council tax transitional reduction grant, community charge grants, emergency financial assistance to local authorities, non-domestic rates outturn payments, etc., England. The remaining savings of £1,350,000 will be surrendered to the Consolidated Fund.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class VII, vote II—PSA Services—will be reduced by £25,000,000 from £123,693,000 to £98,693,000, and the net running cost limit on this vote will reduce by £25,000,000 from £123,293,000 to £98,293,000. The reduction reflects savings achieved in the residuary functions, and reductions

  571
  in severance figures and secondee numbers arising out of most recent forecasts following the sales of the former PSA building management businesses.

  In addition, and subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class VII, vote 13—sale of PSA businesses—will be increased by £9,449,000 from £401,000 to £9,850,000. The increase will not constitute a claim on the reserve as it will be netted off the proceeds from the Government's privatisation programme. The provision is sought, as provided for in the sales agreements, to fund adjustments to cash assets following reviews of the completion statement of the PSA building management businesses post-sale, and to contribute to the costs incurred by the purchasers of both PSA projects and the building management businesses in making transferred staff redundant.

  Increases on votes 8 and 12 will be offset by reductions in other cash-limited expenditure and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in preparing updated guidance for local authorities on energy efficiency in council housing in follow up to interim guidance published last year.

  Sir George Young
  I am pleased to inform the House that updated and consolidated guidance was published on 13 June. A copy of the guidance, entitled "Energy Efficiency in Council Housing", has been placed in the Library.

  Improving energy efficiency in council housing brings benefits to tenants, landlords and the environment. Tenants benefit from warmer, healthier homes which are cheaper to heat. Landlords gain from lower maintenance and management costs. The environment benefits from reductions on carbon dioxide emissions.

  Since last year, all local housing authorities have been expected to take account of energy efficiency in their housing strategies and investment programme submissions. Performance here is one of the factors taken into consideration in determining housing investment programme allocations.

  The guidance, which draws on lessons from my Department's successful green house demonstration programme and the Energy Efficiency Office's best practice programme, provides practical assistance on how to go about developing an effective energy efficiency policy. Accompanying the main guidance is a series of guides providing further advice on key themes such as funding sources for energy efficiency work, tenant consultation and the benefits that can flow from integrated packages of measures.

  Some authorities have been making great strides on energy efficiency. I welcome that. But much remains to be done not only to combat environmental problems but to maximise the scope for cost-effective energy efficiency action and getting added value from planned investment.

  I look to authorities to translate this important guidance into action.

  M25 (Service Area)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the development of a motorway service area on green-belt land owned by Cape plc of Uxbridge and adjoining the M25 motorway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer Friday 20 May 1994]: The proposal referred to is that between junctions 15 and 16 of the M25 at Woodlands Park, near Iver. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has directed refusal of this application. There is also an article 14 direction in place restricting the grant of permission in respect of this development. I have received the representations of my hon. Friend on behalf of his constituents and as far as policy is concerned, I refer him to my answer of 18 May at column 507.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Oslo and Paris Commissions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations her Department has received from Parcom member states regarding the forthcoming 16th joint meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions.

  Mr. Jack
  None.

  Overgrazing
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received on the application of environmental conditions to livestock headage payment schemes; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  We received 40 responses to the consultation paper on the application of environmental conditions to livestock headage payment schemes which we issued on 29 March 1994, from a range of bodies including the main farming and environmental interests. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced, on 10 June, that measures to prevent over-grazing similar to those already operating in the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme would be introduced into the other livestock premium schemes when they are renewed. We have written to all those who responded to the paper to inform them of this decision.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation she has made of the National Farmers Union proposals for preventing over-grazing; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The NFU received a detailed response to its proposals for preventing over-grazing from the Minister of Agriculture earlier this year.

  On 10 June the Minister of Agriculture announced that measures to prevent over-grazing similar to those already operating in the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme would be introduced into the other livestock premium schemes when they are renewed.

  Public Consultation
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances it is her Department's practice, when issuing a public consultation
  573
  document, to inform those consulted that their responses will be made public unless they explicitly ask for them to be kept confidential; and if she will arrange for her Department to do so in all cases in future.

  Mr. Jack
  It is commonplace for the Department, when issuing a public consultation document, to inform those consulted that their responses may be made public unless they explicitly ask for them to be kept confidential. This practice is being codified in departmental guidance to ensure that it is followed in all cases.

  Nuclear Issues
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how the recently announced Department of Environment review of radioactive waste management policy will affect the position that the United Kingdom will take at the forthcoming 16th joint meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions;

  (2) what position the United Kingdom will be taking at the forthcoming 16th joint meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions on proposals concerning nuclear issues; and if she will set out her reasons in each case.

  Number of job offers reported by MAFF staff 1984 to date

  Grade 3 and above

  Below grade 3

  Concerned with procurement/contract work

  Concerned with other work

  1993

  —

  10

  1

  9

  1992

  —

  8

  1

  7

  1991

  1

  10

  —

  11

  1990

  2

  12

  —

  14

  1989

  2

  3

  —

  5

  1988

  3(1)1

  6

  —

  9(1)1

  1987

  0

  12

  1

  11

  1986

  6

  12

  —

  18

  1985

  —

  5

  —

  5

  1984

  —

  5

  —

  5

  Figures include job offers reported by staff application was not required under the rules.

  1 Non-executive director.

  Fishing Vessels
  Sir Geoffrey Pattie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she plans to continue the decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  On 14 December 1993, when I announced the suspension of the introduction of days-at-sea restrictions, I said that we would be reviewing the way forward for the other elements of the fisheries conservation package, in particular decommissioning. That review has now been completed and I am pleased to announce that the two further rounds of decommissioning, this year and in 1995–96, are to go ahead as planned. Of the total of£25 million for 1993–94 to 1995–96, £8.9 million will be made available this financial year. This includes an amount corresponding to the balance remaining from last year's scheme. I hope that a further significant reduction in fleet capacity will be achieved so contributing, with licence aggregation penalties, towards our Community effort reduction targets or multi-annual guidance programme. We shall be exploring further with the industry and with the Commission what other measures we might adopt to help us to achieve our MAGP targets. We are looking particularly at technical conservation measures and at
  574
  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. friend the Minister of State for the Environment and Countryside on 14 June, at column 337.

  Civil Servants (Outside Appointments)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many job offers were reported by staff in her Department under the requirements of the rules on the acceptance of outside appointments in each of the last 10 years by(a) staff of grade 3 and above, (b) staff below grade 3, (c) staff in sections concerned with procurement or contract work, under section 15 of the rules of 1 February 1993 and (d) staff in other sections, under section 14; and how many of these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  Mr. Jack
  The table shows the number of job offers reported by staff in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in each of the last 10 years. All but one of these reports resulted in an application to join the company concerned.

  possible changes to the licensing system, but these considerations need not delay progress on the decommissioning front.

  We have always made it clear that we want the decommissioning scheme to provide real long-term benefits to the fishing industry. By enabling the pressure on fish stocks to be reduced the scheme can help fisheries conservation and improve fishing prospects for the future. But the scheme will not achieve this result if the remaining vessels increase their fishing effort and so undermine the impact of decommissioning. This would be unwelcome for both the fishing industry and for taxpayers who will want to see that the expenditure is effective and provides good value for money. So as decommissioning progresses we intend to monitor the fishing effort of the remaining fleet. If it increases, we shall have to take suitable effort control measures to deal with the situation. I hope the industry will collectively exercise restraint, and so make the use of such controls in the context of this scheme unnecessary.

  The Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 1994 was laid before Parliament today. The rules of the scheme are broadly the same as under the 1993 decommissioning scheme, as I believe that the 1993 scheme was welcomed by most in the industry and successfully removed the maximum active capacity for the available funds. Vessel owners are invited to submit tenders for the amount of

  575
  decommissioning grant for which they would be prepared to scrap their vessel and surrender its licence. Applications will be ranked in terms of pounds per vessel capacity unit. Eligibility criteria similar to those in the 1993 scheme will apply but the 1994 scheme will be focused on those vessels in respect of which full pressure stock licences have been issued. This means that decommissioning will remain widely accessible but will be targeted at those vessels fishing the stocks which are the most at risk.

  To be eligible for decommissioning grant, vessels must meet the following main criteria:

  (a) The vessel must be registered in the UK, be over 10 m in overall length and over 10 years old at the date of application;

  (b) The vessel must have spent at least 100 days at sea on fishing trips in Community waters as a UK registered vessel during each of 1992 and 1993;

  (c) A current full pressure stock licence must be held in respect of the vessel;

  (d) The vessel must be seaworthy: vessels over 12 m in overall length must have either a valid Department of Transport safety certificate or a letter confirming the completion of a satisfactory survey at the time of application;

  (e) It must not have been approved for decommissioning under the 1993 scheme and then withdrawn;

  (f) Grants will be paid only when vessels are scrapped. The applicant must provide proof that the vessel has been removed from the register and has been scrapped within the European Community using a method approved by Ministers before any grant is paid;

  (g) An application for a grant must be approved before the vessel is scrapped or the vessel will not be eligible for grant;

  (h) Successful applicants must submit proof of scrapping and deregistration and surrender all licences in respect of the vessel before 1 March 1995; otherwise they lose their right to a decommissioning grant.

  Application forms for decommissioning grants and the accompanying explanatory leaflets will be available in local fishery offices later this week. All fishermen who have expressed an interest or whose application was unsuccessful in the first round will be sent a leaflet and form. The deadline for receipt of applications is 15 August 1994.

  International Whaling Commission
  Sir Geoffrey Pattie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the International Whaling Commission's 46th annual meeting.

  Mr. Jack
  The International Whaling Commission's 46th annual meeting was held at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from 23–27 May. The United Kingdom delegation was composed of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, assisted by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of the Environment and representatives of environmental organisations.

  The principal achievement of the meeting was the creation of a circumpolar Southern Ocean sanctuary for whales, within which commercial whaling will be banned indefinitely. The northern boundary of the sanctuary is 40 deg south except in the eastern Pacific, between 130 deg west and 50 deg west, where it is 60 deg south; in addition, below the existing Indian Ocean sanctuary the boundary is 55 deg south, the southern boundary of that sanctuary, so that the two sanctuaries do not overlap.

  The new sanctuary will cover the main feeding grounds of all southern ocean baleen whales, including those populations of fin and sei whales that feed between 60 deg
  576
  south and 40 deg south of the south Atlantic and western Pacific. There are few records of whale activity in the same latitudes in the eastern Pacific, which for this reason fall outside the sanctuary.

  The creation of a Southern Ocean sanctuary represents a major step forward for the conservation of whales. It ensures that should the current moratorium on commercial whaling ever be lifted, the whale stocks in the Southern Ocean will remain protected. I am pleased to say that the United Kingdom delegation played a prominent role in devising the proposal which was ultimately adopted.

  At the meeting, we restated the United Kingdom's continuing strong support for the moratorium. We accordingly voted against a request by Japan for an interim quota of 50 minke whales, to be taken by traditional whaling communities. This proposal was defeated and I am pleased to report that the moratorium remains intact.

  Some progress was made on the revised management procedure, a key element in the proposed revised management scheme. The IWC's scientific committee reported that it had completed its work on the RMP, which it recommended for adoption. This was consistent with the remit it was given, when the moratorium was agreed, to devise new management procedures. In response to this recommendation, a resolution was adopted accepting that the scientific committee's work on the RMP completes the main scientific component in the development of the RMS, but making it clear that the RMP cannot be formally adopted in advance of the RMS. The resolution also emphasises that nothing it contains justifies any activity that is contrary to the moratorium.

  The United Kingdom played an active role in the preparation of this resolution, which meets our own key requirements. In particular, it states clearly that the RMP will not be adopted in advance of the RMS and sets out the elements that will have to be satisfactorily included in the RMS before it can be considered for adoption. A good deal of work on these will be required. In this context, we attach particular importance to the securing of a fully effective, enforceable and internationally credible inspection and observation scheme that would ensure that any whaling operations in the future are properly controlled. Without such measures, it would not be possible for the United Kingdom to support any form of RMS.

  We once again reaffirmed the importance we attached to ensuring that any whales taken in whaling operations are killed humanely. Together with New Zealand, we secured the adoption of a resolution criticising the use of the electric lance as a method of secondary killing. This drew on new research which strongly suggests that the electric lance is both ineffective and cruel. The resolution calls on Governments using this technique to develop alternative methods of secondary killing and requests the IWC to look into the matter again next year, in the light of the advice of the forthcoming workshop on humane killing. The meeting also agreed the terms of reference we proposed for this workshop, which will meet immediately before next year's annual meeting.

  Last year, United Kingdom proposals on whale watching were accepted by the IWC. These led to the production of a useful report on the economic importance of whale watching. In the light of this report, the United Kingdom was able to secure support for a further proposal, which was adopted by consensus, requiring the IWC and its scientific committee to provide advice to national

  577
  Governments on whale watching and to keep developments under review. This will ensure that the IWC has a permanent role to play in this expanding new industry.

  It was agreed that two scientific workshops on environmental threats, dealing with the potential effects of pollution and of climate change, should be held over the next two year's. We took a prominent role in the discussion of these issues in the scientific committee, and helped promote a resolution underlining the importance that the IWC attaches to the impact on whale stocks.

  During the meeting, the United Kingdom delegation expressed concern about reports of illegal international trade in whale meat, and supported a successful resolution calling on all members to ensure that existing restrictions on trade in whale meat and whale products were strictly enforced and asking Governments to report all attempted evasions to the IWC.

  The United Kingdom delegation also took the opportunity to criticise strongly Norway's decision to resume commercial whaling and to urge the Norwegian Government to reconsider. We were supported by a number of other delegations.

  Overall, this was a very successful meeting for the United Kingdom. We achieved all our main objectives and made useful progress on a range of issues. I believe that we are now well placed to make further progress at the IWC's 47th annual meeting in Dublin next year.

  The IWC remains the only effective world forum for the discussion of whaling issues; it continues to operate as a result of those countries who wish to remain its members.

  Warning Letters Issued by Region and Nationally for each quarter from April 1990 to March 1992

  April to June 1990

  July to September 1990

  October to December 1990

  January to March 10

  April to June 1991

  July to September 1991

  October to December 1991

  January to March 1991

  Northern

  789

  731

  695

  394

  365

  697

  438

  403

  Yorks and Humberside

  714

  476

  637

  398

  403

  394

  359

  312

  East Midlands and Eastern

  463

  447

  453

  338

  337

  272

  225

  242

  London and South Eastern

  3,024

  2,941

  2,339

  1,895

  1,484

  1,830

  1,653

  1,839

  South Western

  530

  716

  533

  400

  371

  276

  273

  354

  Wales

  688

  464

  386

  311

  309

  185

  232

  206

  West Midlands

  1,354

  1,015

  853

  634

  561

  707

  606

  567

  North Western

  1,435

  1,521

  1,247

  1,032

  1,123

  1,061

  1,382

  1,671

  Scotland

  2,234

  2,149

  1,623

  1,001

  1,022

  1,134

  794

  1,010

  Great Britain

  11,231

  10,730

  8,766

  6,403

  5,975

  6,556

  5,962

  6,604

  Warning Letters Issued by Region and Nationally for each quarter from April 1992 to March 1994

  April to June 1992

  July to September 1992

  October to December 1992

  January to March 1993

  April to June 1993

  July to September 1993

  October to December 1993

  January to March 1994

  Northern

  300

  290

  163

  185

  124

  142

  164

  251

  Yorks and Humberside

  282

  292

  166

  163

  140

  107

  82

  83

  East Midlands and Eastern

  203

  202

  78

  98

  160

  139

  121

  35

  London and South Eastern

  2,126

  2,250

  1,758

  1,515

  1,007

  935

  682

  692

  Southwestern

  406

  388

  271

  349

  228

  369

  390

  555

  Wales

  233

  183

  71

  72

  41

  31

  38

  69

  West Midlands

  619

  486

  235

  190

  153

  144

  170

  261

  Northwestern

  1,678

  2,006

  1,510

  1,057

  601

  344

  206

  208

  Scotland

  887

  612

  337

  363

  217

  98

  44

  76

  Great Britain

  6,734

  6,709

  4,589

  3,992

  2,671

  2,309

  1,897

  2,230

EMPLOYMENT

  Actively-seeking-employment Rule
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) decisions, (b) disallowances and (c) warning letters were issued in each region and Great Britain as a whole in each quarter since April 1990 in respect of actively seeking employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 15 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of claimants who have been issued with warning letters for not actively seeking employment; the number of decisions on actively seeking employment; and the number of disallowances for actively seeking employment in each quarter since April 1990.
  The statistics you asked for on adjudication officers' decisions on actively seeking employment for each region and for Great Britain as a whole are contained in the quarterly summary entitled "Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions". Copies are held in the Library of the House. The latest available information relates to the quarter ending December 1993.
  I enclose a table showing by Region, and for Great Britain, the number of warning letters issued to clients whose worksearch activity was not considered to be adequate. This information is available for the period up to March 1994.
  I hope this is helpful.

  HM Inspectorate of Mines
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action was taken by Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines in regard to the under-reporting of dust counts in British mines which was referred to the inspectorate earlier this year; and when the inspectorate was first aware of the under-reporting.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [pursuant to his reply of 4 November 1993]: I wish to announce that the report of the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive's inspectorate of mines into respirable dust sampling at British Coal Corporation mines is released today.

  The investigation was undertaken following allegations of widespread tampering with dust sampling equipment and expressions of concern about discrepancies between the results of routine statutory sampling of respirable dust and check sampling undertaken by BCC.

  The mines inspectorate has thoroughly investigated these allegations but has found no evidence to substantiate them. It has also reviewed the procedures for monitoring dust levels.

  The report identifies weaknesses in the integrity of the sampling instruments and in the arrangements for their security while stored at individual mines. It therefore makes a number of sensible recommendations with the aim of ensuring long-term confidence in the dust sampling programme at mines. These include the proofing of sampling instruments against tampering and improved, more secure, arrangements for the storage of instruments at mine sites. The report also recommends that consideration should be given to the introduction of independent dust sampling and audit procedures.

  I have today sent a copy of the report to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy) and for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) who wrote to me on the matter. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the Child Support Agency's target time for dealing with complaints; and how many complaints have been dealt with in that time;

  (2) how many complaints have been logged by the Child Support Agency computerised complaints monitoring system;

  (3) how many complaints have been received by the Child Support Agency since its inception;

  (4) what form of redress is available to the complainant if a complaint to the Child Support Agency is not dealt with in the time stipulated for a reply;

  (5) whether he will publish the results of the review into the complaints procedures of the Child Support Agency.

  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 Dr. Tony Wright, dated 15 June 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about customer complaints received by the Child Support Agency.
  580
  Your have asked for details of the number of such complaints received, the Agency's target time for dealing with complaints and how many have been dealt with in that time. The Agency's Charter contains a stated aim to acknowledge written complaints within two days of receipt and respond to complaints within 10 working days. From 5 April to 31 March 1994, a total of 10,886 complaints were recorded and, of these, 4,910 were cleared within 10 working days.
  The first year of the Agency's operations has stimulated a great deal of activity and I am aware that our performance in this area falls below the standard we aim to provide for clients. As part of the normal management process we are continually examining ways in which our service to clients can be improved.
  The Agency's computerised complaints monitoring system is under development and it is planned to introduce it later this year.
  Your ask about the redress available where a client is dissatisfied with the way a complaint had been handled. The Agency's Charter explains that where something has gone wrong, the Agency will be happy to apologise, give an explanation and put the matter right. The client can speak or write to the Customer Services Manager in the centre dealing with the case. If they are not satisfied they can write directly to the manager of the centre or, ultimately, to the Chief Executive.
  The Agency has conducted an internal review of its complaints monitoring procedures as part of an ongoing arrangement to examine various management issues. There are no plans to publish a report.
  I hope this is helpful.

  War Pensions
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give details of the war pensions trial complaints system; on what date the system went into operation; and how many complaints have been received and processed to date.

  Mr. Hague
  This is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Dr. Tony Wright, dated 14 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the War Pensions trial complaints system.
  The War Pensions Agency has a well established complaints system operating throughout the Agency. This system ensures that complaints are dealt with in accordance with our Charter Standards.
  The Agency was launched on 1 April 1994 and since that date there has existed a complaints monitoring system within the War Pensions Parliamentary Group. This system has now been extended to include the War Pensions Customer Services, War Pensions Helpline and War Pensioners' Welfare Service. It is being monitored by the War Pensions Customer Services Manager to assess the suitability for use by the whole of the Agency. It will be evaluated in the autumn of this year.
  A total of 186 complaints have been received by the Parliamentary Group in our first month of operation as an Agency.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Maintenance Assessments
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many absent parents have had their maintenance assessments reduced as a result of the regulatory changes introduced on 7 February; and what has been the average reduction per week to date;

  (2) how many absent parents have had their maintenance assessments reduced as a result of changes to the parent-with-care allowance introduced on 7 February; and what has been the average reduction per week to date.
  581
  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. Ingram, dated 15 June 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the effect of the changes to Child Support introduced on 7 February 1994.
  The total number of cases where a reduction in the maintenance assessment occurred due to the policy changes was 43,800 which includes 4,000 cases where liability was not reduced at the time as the change was below £1. In these cases the change would be taken into account at the next review of circumstances.
  Information on the average amount by which the assessment reduced is available for the 93 per cent. of cases that were reassessed automatically by the computer system. In these cases the average reduction was £9.00 a week. Information is not available for the remaining cases which were reassessed clerically.
  Specific information is not yet available on the effect of the changes to parent with care allowances. Arrangements are being made to obtain this information.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency (Complaints)
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date the OTIS—"Opportunity to Improve Service"—computerised system for complaints operated by the Benefits Agency was inaugurated; how many complaints have been logged from that date; what percentage of those complaints and suggestions have resulted in a change to the agency's policy or procedure; and what plans there are for such a system to be adopted by other agencies.

  Mr. Burt
  The operation of the OTIS computerised system in the Benefits Agency is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Tony Wright, dated 14 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the OTIS computerised system for complaints in the Benefits Agency and what plans there are for the system to be adopted by other agencies.
  (OTIS) Opportunity to Improve Service was introduced in Newcastle Benefits Directorate on 1 July 1991, initially on a pilot basis. It proved successful and is now in operation in Newcastle Pensions Directorate, Overseas Benefits Directorate and Child Benefit Centre but is not used throughout the Agency.
  Some Districts are using IT systems to record and analyse customer feedback. However, many offices do not receive enough complaints to justify the need to adopt an IT system for analysing customer feedback. The Benefits Agency is in the process of producing a "good practice guide" to be issued to all business units to ensure that their local systems are operating to full potential.
  The Information available on complaints logged on OTIS is 1,404 for Overseas Benefits Directorate for the period 1 July 1991 to 31 March 1994, 1,906 for Newcastle Pensions Directorate for the same period, and 5,499 for Child Benefit Centre for the period 2 January 1992 to 25 May 1994.
  As OTIS is used to identify trends rather than monitor individual complaints or suggestions, statistics comparing the number of comments with any change in procedure are not kept.
  I understand from the other DSS Agencies that they have no plans to introduce OTIS but some are introducing IT systems to meet their own business needs.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many invalidity benefit awards have been(a) reviewed, (b) disallowed following review and (c) reinstated on appeal during each of the last 12 months in the Wrexham Maelor and Mid Wales district and North Wales Coast district of the Benefits Agency.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hanson, dated 14 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about invalidity Benefit (IVB) awards in the Mid Wales and Maelor, and North Wales Coast Districts.
  The information is available in the format requested, and has been provided in appendices 1 and 2.
  The Mid Wales and Maelor District of the Benefits Agency comprises Wrexham District Office (DO) and Newtown Branch Office (BO). The North Wales Coast District comprises Rhyl DO, and Colwyn Bay and Deeside BO's.
  The statistics provided are taken from clerical and computer records maintained in the Districts' offices.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix 1

  Mid Wales and Maelor district

  Month

  IVB awards reviewed

  IVB awards disallowed

  IVB awards reinstated on appeal

  May 1993

  45

  28

  2

  June 1993

  87

  36

  —

  July 1993

  42

  25

  —

  August 1993

  41

  15

  1

  September 1993

  54

  29

  —

  October 1993

  38

  20

  1

  November 1993

  43

  24

  1

  December 1993

  26

  22

  1

  January 1994

  68

  30

  —

  February 1994

  78

  33

  1

  March 1994

  176

  56

  5

  April 1994

  150

  61

  4

  Appendix 2

  North Wales coast

  Month

  IVB awards reviewed

  IVB awards disallowed

  IVB awards reinstated on appeal

  May 1993

  75

  34

  1

  June 1993

  96

  60

  1

  July 1993

  118

  62

  2

  August 1993

  93

  64

  1

  September 1993

  119

  57

  1

  October 1993

  220

  105

  4

  November 1993

  113

  69

  4

  December 1993

  95

  56

  2

  January 1994

  93

  48

  6

  February 1994

  145

  58

  1

  March 1994

  183

  79

  1

  April 1994

  182

  98

  2

  Social Fund
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken to decide an application for assistance from the social fund
  583
  nationally; and what is the average length of time taken at (a) East Nottinghamshire, (b) North Nottinghamshire and (c) West Nottinghamshire Benefits Agency offices.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paddy Tipping, dated 14 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the average

  Annex A

  Social Fund clearance time performance nationally and for the Benefits Agency districts of East, North and West Nottinghamshire for the month of April 1994 (latest available figures)

  National

  East Notts

  North Notts

  West Notts

  CCG

  per cent. in 7 days

  82

  83

  88

  70

  per cent. in 20 days

  98

  97

  98

  98

  BL

  per cent. in 6 days

  78

  79

  85

  71

  per cent. in 20 days

  98

  98

  99

  98

  CL

  per cent in 1 day

  97

  94

  96

  94

  per cent. in 2 days

  98

  98

  98

  97

  FP

  per cent. in 12 days

  71

  74

  73

  74

  per cent. in 35 days

  96

  95

  91

  98

  MP

  per cent. in 5 days

  74

  83

  89

  77

  per cent. in 20 days

  97

  97

  99

  98

  Computerised Benefit Calculation Models
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make a statement on the use of computerised benefit calculation models by his Department; and what policy applies to claimants wishing to obtain access to these systems;

  (2) how much his Department has spent on introducing computerised benefit calculation models throughout the Benefits Agency network; how many terminals are currently operational; and if he will list the Benefits Agency facilities where access to these terminals is available to claimants.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Brian Donohue, dated 14 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking about (i) the use of computerised benefit calculation models by his Department; and what policy applies to claimants wishing to obtain access to these systems and (ii) how much his Department has spent on introducing computerised benefit calculation models throughout the Benefits Agency network; how many terminals are currently operational; and if he will list the facilities where access to these terminals is available to claimants.
  The Benefits Agency provides a benefit advice and information service from all its District Offices and also from a number of telephone enquiry lines. Staff are supported in this task by a number of tools, including the recently introduced Integrated
  584
  time taken to decide a Social Fund (SF) application nationally and in the Benefits Agency's (BA) East Nottinghamshire, North Nottinghamshire, and West Nottinghamshire Districts.
  The clearance of SF applications is measured in terms of "x" per cent. of applications cleared in "y" days, and not as an average of the time to decide each individual application. You will be aware that the SF comprises of Community Care Grants (CCG), Budgeting Loans (BL), Crisis Loans (CL), Cold Weather Payments (CWP), Funeral Payments (FP) and Maternity Payments (MP). Each element of the SF has separate and different "x in y" primary and secondary targets, with the exception of CWPs. For CWPs, eligible customers are identified and paid automatically and do not have to make a formal claim.
  I have provided at Annex A the national and the three Nottinghamshire districts' details for the month of April 1994 (latest available data).
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  Benefits Information System, a computerised system which includes the facility to produce an estimate of benefit entitlement during an interview with a customer.
  The Agency is currently conducting research to determine whether customers would welcome self service facilities to produce benefit calculations, given the large volume of data entry required to produce meaningful estimates of benefit entitlement. Meanwhile there are no such facilities available.
  There are, however, computer programmes developed by the Agency which provide general information about benefits such as condition of entitlement, how to claim, rates, leaflets etc. The most common of these is the "West Country Social Security Guide" which can be installed on machines suitable for customer use, where they are available. Such machines are installed in both BA locations and other outlets provided by Local Authorities, Social and Welfare organisations and Citizen's Advice Bureaux, amongst others.
  There are at least 1,100 terminals running the automated guide. The precise number of these suitable for direct public access is unknown.
  Finally, the eventual cost of developing, implementing and supporting the full IBIS toolset is estimated to be £3.8 million.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of carers currently entitled to(a) invalidity benefit and (b) unemployment benefit will be eligible for the new incapacity benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available.

EDUCATION

  Clinical Academic Staff
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what assessment he has made of the effects of the delay in translating the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body award to clinical academic staff on the latter's morale;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the steps taken since October 1991 to find a long-term solution to the annual problem of implementing the translation of the NHS pay award to clinical academic staff;

  (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that young doctors entering academic medicine will be assured of sufficient, well structured, and appropriately rewarded career posts;

  (4) if he will give an assurance to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals that he will meet in full the difference between the cost of clinical and non-clinical pay awards for 1994;

  (5) if he will make a statement on the process of implementing the 1994 doctors' pay award for clinical academic staff.

  Mr. Boswell
  The negotiation of pay awards for clinical academic staff is a matter for the university employers, not for my right hon. Friend. Universities will be required to fund pay awards for clinical and non-clinical academic staff in 1994 from within their existing resources. It is also for the university employers to decide how best to recruit, retain and motivate their clinical academic staff.

  Rough Sleepers and Beggars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what instructions are given to security staff in his departmental offices in London for dealing with(a) those sleeping rough in departmental doorways and (b) beggars in the vicinity; and how many problems have been experienced with each category in the last three months.

  Mr. Forth
  No special instructions are issued to the custody guards for dealing with incidents arising from either category. The guards' operational standing orders direct them to notify the local police where the actions of any individuals in bordering public streets are judged to pose a threat to the Department's perimeter security. No problems of this nature have arisen in the last three months.

  Suspensions and Expulsions
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he is taking to reduce the number of children suspended or expelled from schools in(a) Humberside and (b) England.

  Mr. Forth
  Head teachers are responsible for securing discipline in their schools and for exercising the power of exclusion. The Department has recently issued guidance to all schools aimed at promoting consistent practice in the use of exclusion and ensuring that permanent exclusion is used as a last resort. Changes in the law governing exclusions have been made in the Education Act 1993, which abolishes the category of indefinite exclusion; places a limit of 15 school days in any one term on fixed-term exclusions; and enables the Secretary of State to place time limits on the operation of exclusion procedures,586
  to reduce to a minimum the time spent by an excluded pupil out of school. These provisions are intended to come into effect on 1 September.

  Lancashire Colleges
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total funding given to each college and sixth form tertiary college in Lancashire for the years 1992–93 and 1993–94; and when the figure for the year 1994–95 will be available.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Further Education Funding Council's total recurrent funding allocations to colleges in Lancashire for 1993–94, covering the 16-month period 1 April 1993 to 31 July 1994, and those for the 12 months ending 31 July 1995, are given in the table.

  There are no comparable figures available for 1992–93, when the colleges were funded by their local authority using different bases.

  Recurrent funding allocations: FE institutions in Lancashire

  1994–95 12 months £

  1993–94 16 months £

  General FE

  Accrington and Rossendale

  7,761,029

  9,467,703

  Blackburn

  12,380,111

  15,215,054

  Blackpool and The Fylde

  11,949,009

  14,459,346

  Burnley

  5,057,134

  6,457,022

  Lancaster and Morecambe

  5,082,424

  5,987,001

  Nelson and Colne

  5,241,985

  6,484,765

  Preston

  11,835,929

  13,667,024

  Runshaw

  6,676,909

  7,500,239

  Skelmersdale

  4,381,961

  5,375,412

  70,366,491

  84,613,566

  Agricultural Colleges

  Myerscough

  2,767,223

  3,997,557

  73,133,714

  88,611,123

  Sixth Form Colleges

  Blackpool

  3,136,722

  4,110,269

  Cardinal Newman

  2,871,029

  3,661,167

  St. Mary's

  2,065,092

  2,877,776

  8,072,843

  10,649,212

  Total

  81,206,557

  99,260,335

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what changes he plans to announce to cash limits on votes within his responsibility for 1994–95.

  Mr. Patten
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimates, the cash limits for class X, vote 1—schools, research and miscellaneous services—and for vote 2—higher and further education—will be reduced as follows:

  Class and vote

  Current cash limit £

  Change £

  Revised cash limit £

  X.1

  800,328,000

  -59,000

  800,269,000

  X.2

  5,787,121,000

  -114,328,000

  5,672,793,000

  587
  The reduction of £59,000 on class X, vote 1 represents a transfer to class X, vote 2 for increased provision for grants to further education establishments for the education of the children of travellers, refugees and displaced persons.

  The reduction of £114,328,000 on class X, vote 2 is the net effect of a transfer of £113,600,000 to class X, vote 3 to increase provision for grant in aid to the Further Education Funding Council for student number-related payments; transfers from provision for grant in aid to the Higher Education Funding Council of £245,000 to the Welsh Office for payment to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales in respect of students on diploma in social work courses in Wales, and £542,000 to the Office of Science and Technology as the council's contribution towards class 3—super-computing time; and a transfer from class X, vote 1 of £59,000 for additional provision for grants to further education establishments for the education of children of travellers, refugees and displaced persons.

  Science and Mathematics
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to answer the responses to his consultation paper on the supply and demand of newly qualified young people in science and mathematics; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  The consultation paper invited responses by 30 June. We shall consider what further action to take in the light of those responses.

  £000's

  Year1

  Project

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Total

  Whiterock FE centre

  672

  1,263

  1,419

  1,175

  4,529

  Shankill FE centre

  468

  267

  333

  341

  1,409

  Dunlewey St FE centre

  —

  —

  146

  143

  289

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6,227

  1 Relates to financial years.

HEALTH

  Staffing Levels
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by regional health authority changes in staff numbers in 1993; and, of these, how many were nurses.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not available.

  Hospital Consultant Posts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 2, on vacant hospital consultancies, how many consultant posts were vacant in each region on 30 September 1992.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  This indicates consultant vacancies notified to the Department as at 30 September 1992. As a snapshot of vacancies on a single date they may not fairly reflect the trend for the number of vacancies over the year as a whole.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Specialists' Waiting Lists
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people not on waiting lists for treatment were waiting to see a specialist in the national health service at the end of March.

  Mr. Ancram
  There were 62,862 people waiting for their first out-patient appointment in Northern Ireland at 31 March 1994.

  "Making Belfast Work"
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what evaluation has been carried out of projects for which "Making Belfast Work" money has been provided in further education projects in inner Belfast in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Ancram
  Since the "Making Belfast Work" initiative was introduced in 1988, all further education projects have been evaluated by the Department's inspectorate.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on further education in inner Belfast through the "Making Belfast Work" programme in each of the last four years; and on which projects the money has been spent.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Hospital medical consultant vacant posts by Regional Health Authority 30 September 1992—Whole-time equivalent

  Number1

  England

  550

  Northern

  30

  Yorkshire

  50

  Trent

  80

  East Anglian

  20

  North West Thames

  20

  North East Thames

  50

  South East Thames

  10

  South West Thames

  30

  Wessex

  10

  Oxford

  2—

  South Western

  40

  West Midlands

  110

  Mersey

  20

  North Western

  60

  Special health authorities

  10

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; regional figures do not sum to the England figure because of rounding.

  2 Less than five.

  Drugs Advisory Committee
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a list of the current members of the national health service drugs advisory committee, together with a copy of its annual report and information on the place and frequency of its meetings, indicating whether such meetings are open to the public.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 28 February at cols 605–6. The advisory committee on national health service drugs holds meetings as necessary to fulfil its role of advising United Kingdom Health Ministers about the composition of schedules 10 and 11 of the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992: The committee does not publish an annual report. Meetings are not open to the public.

  Midwifery
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on an autonomous midwifery profession.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government recognise that midwives are educated and trained to take full care of women during the antenatal, intrapartum and post-natal period, referring to a doctor if there are any deviations from the normal. "Changing Childbirth", the report of the expert group, fully supports this ethos and the national health service is working towards the implementation of the report's recommendations within a five year time-scale.

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ban electro-convulsive treatment on patients under the age of 18 years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding) on 17 February at col.926.

  Sight Tests
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sight tests were carried out in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The numbers of national health service sight tests paid for in the last five financial years for which figures are available in England are shown An the table. Information for 1993–94 is not yet available.

  Number of NHS sight tests1 paid for by financial year

  England

  Year

  Number

  21989–90

  5,279,750

  21990–91

  4,153,660

  1991–92

  4,979,420

  1992–93

  5,527,590

  1 The number of private sight tests is not collected.

  2 From 1 April 1989, NHS sight tests were restricted to certain eligible groups in the population. The figures for 1989–90 included 1.82 million sight tests paid for in 1989–90 but conducted in 1988–89 under the previous scheme. The remaining 4.22 million were conducted and paid for in 1989–90 which do not constitute a full 12 months of the new

  590
  scheme. The figures for 1990–91 which do represent 12 months under the new scheme are not therefore directly comparable with those for 1989–90.

  Pay Settlements
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the percentage increases in the pay settlements or offers for this current year to doctors, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Hospital and community health service doctors and dentists have been awarded a 3 per cent. increase in salaries. General medical practitioners have been awarded a 3 per cent. increase in the average net intended income and a 1.4 per cent. increase in their expenses provisions. General dental practitioners have been awarded a 3 per cent. increase in the gross fee for each item of service and capitation payment. Hospital pharmacists have been offered 1.75 per cent. and negotiations are continuing. No offer has yet been made to optometrists whose claim was received on 25 May.

  Waiting Times
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to her answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 157, what is the total cost of reducing the waiting list so that (a) no one waits more than three months for hospital treatment and (b) the average waiting time is reduced to two months;

  (2) pursuant to her answer of 21 April, Official Report, column 668, what is the total cost of providing an out-patient appointment to all patients within (a) six weeks and (b) three months on referral by a general practitioner.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Administrative Staff
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the effect of the change in number of managers, administration and clerical staff in the NHS since 1989–90.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The national health service needs good managers. As part of the reforms we have deliberately strengthened NHS management, particularly the finance and personnel functions, to provide the quality and number of managers needed to run a £32.2 billion organisation which employs over 900,000 people. The results speak for themselves. For every 100 patients treated in 1989–90 we expect to treat about 121 this year. Average in-patient waiting times have been reduced from nine months to five months. NHS managers deserve credit for their part in these achievements. We are determined to maximise the proportion of NHS expenditure devoted to direct patient care and have recently brought forward proposals to further streamline the central management of the NHS.

  Nurses and Midwives
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent NHS nursing and midwifery staff were employed on each grade and pay point of the clinical grades, educational grades, and senior nursing and midwifery pay spine in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, broken down by ethnic groups.
  591
  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Respite and Continuing Care Beds
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds in each health authority are available for(a) respite care and (b) continuing care.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information collected centrally on numbers of beds does not include the classifications "respite care" and "continuing care". Information on national health service beds in England, classified by ward type, is published in "Bed availability for England (Financial year 1992–93)", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to impose an obligation on each district health authority to provide(a) respite care beds for Alzheimer's disease sufferers and (b) continuing care beds.

  Mr. Bowis
  Authorities should have a comprehensive range of services available to meet the various needs of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

  Vacant hospital consultant posts by specialty group England—30 September 1988–1992

  Specialty group

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  General medicine group

  133.4

  119.7

  129.2

  92.7

  118.1

  Accident and emergency

  17.0

  15.0

  18.4

  14.4

  19.6

  Surgical group

  110.5

  88.2

  135.3

  87.1

  90.0

  Obstetrics and gynaecology

  25.0

  17.9

  23.4

  18.0

  23.0

  Anaesthetics

  100.2

  70.3

  87.9

  50.3

  88.0

  Radiology group

  38.3

  34.6

  33.9

  18.8

  21.9

  Radiotherapy

  6.7

  4.2

  7.2

  6.0

  5.0

  Pathology group

  70.3

  39.0

  49.9

  36.6

  23.4

  Psychiatry group

  268.9

  193.4

  217.3

  150.1

  152.7

  Dental specialties

  20.1

  10.0

  10.5

  12.3

  9.0

  ALL SPECIALTIES

  790.4

  592.3

  713.0

  486.4

  550.7

  Note: The table shows whole-time equivalents.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ukraine
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with the Ukraine.

  Mr. Hurd
  We have close and friendly relations with Ukraine. I visited Kiev in May where I had useful talks with the Ukrainian leadership and reaffirmed our strong support for Ukrainian independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to meet his counterparts in the European Union to discuss its future development.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have regular discussions on a wide range of European Union issues with my European counterparts at meetings of the General Affairs Council. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for 18–19 July.
  592
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each health authority which does not provide psychogeriatric continuing care beds; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is a matter for local purchasers to determine the level and type of services purchased for their local populations in the light of local circumstances, resources and clinical practice.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 28 April,Official Report, column 307, how many hospital consultant posts have been vacant, by specialty, in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1994, c. 76]: I regret that there were inaccuracies in the 1991 and 1992 data.

  The correct figures are given in the table.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the German Foreign Minister about priorities for the German presidency of the EU.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I discussed German presidency priorities with my German colleague at the Anglo-German summit on 27 April.

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to help combat fraud in the EU in(a) spending on the common agricultural policy, (b) structural funds and (c) the cohesion budget.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced a joint action proposal under title VI of the treaty on European Union aimed at combating serious fraud against the Community budget. The Commission has recently published its 1993 annual report on the fight against fraud and tabled an anti-fraud strategy which is under consideration by the Council. Both describe a number of existing and new measures to fight fraud against the Community budget, and in particular fraud against the CAP. The United Kingdom has pressed for demanding new provisions on value for money and reporting requirements to govern the structural and cohesion funds which are designed to reduce the scope for fraud and waste.

  China
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit China to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Mr. Goodlad
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to visit China but expects to meet the Chinese Foreign Minister in September, possibly in New York, to discuss matters of mutual interest. I plan to visit China myself before too long.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in China.

  Mr. Goodlad
  While welcoming the recent releases of certain individuals, we remain deeply concerned about continuing reports of human rights abuses in China, including the widespread arrest or detention of individuals for free expression of their political or religious beliefs, and the situation in Tibet.

  Visegrad Countries
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the prospects of EC membership for the Visegrad countries.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 agreed that the associated countries of central and eastern Europe that so wished, including the four Visegrad countries, should join the European Union as soon as they were able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions required. We are fully committed to this objective, and reacted positively to the applications of Hungary and Poland in March and April this year.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current state of United Kingdom relations with Japan.

  Mr. Goodlad
  United Kingdom relations with Japan are excellent. We are developing close co-operation on international issues, investment, trade, science and technology and many other areas.

  Rwanda
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the UN action in Rwanda.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Rwanda.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The UK voted in favour of UN Security Council resolutions 918 and 925 which authorise an expansion in the United Nations Aid Mission in Rwanda force to a total of 5,500 and mandate it to provide protection and support to civilians at risk.

  The UK worked with other states in framing both resolutions to ensure that UNAMIR was given the most effective mandate possible. We will continue our efforts to ensure that the force operates with maximum effect.

  The UK will bear 6.37 per cent. of the cost of UNAMIR. We have also contributed over £11 million directly to the aid effort in Rwanda.
  594
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to commit British forces to United Nations operations in Rwanda.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The UK has not been asked to contribute troops to the UN peacekeeping operation in Rwanda.

  Gulf States
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with the Gulf states.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I visited the Gulf region from 30 May to 3 June 1994 and found that the United Kingdom's relations with the Gulf states were in excellent shape.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to be able to announce his priorities for the next intergovernmental conference.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  As my colleagues and I have made clear in a number of recent statements, our priority is to achieve a Europe that is prosperous, outward looking, free trading, decentralised, flexible and democratic.

  European Security
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet his French counterpart to discuss the future of European security; and what discussions Her Majesty's Government have already had with the French Government in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary sees Mr. Juppé frequently, and European security issues remain one of the priorities on their agenda. We likewise hold frequent discussions with the French Government at all levels to discuss European security and other matters.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current state of relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Indonesia.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The United Kingdom and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations. The importance of the relationship is well illustrated by the large number of high-level visits in both directions. We contribute substantially to Indonesia's infrastructure development. British industry plays a significant role in this. British exports to Indonesia rose to their highest ever level—£331 million—in 1993. In 1992, the last year for which we have complete figures, and when British firms invested $996 million there, Britain was the largest European investor in Indonesia.

  Angola
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet his counterpart in Angola to discuss the situation in that country.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to do so. However, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State and Minister for Overseas Development last met Mr. Venancio da Moura on 25 April.

  Middle East
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards peace in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the completion of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho on 18 May. We and our European partners are providing practical help to the new Palestinian Administration, including the police force. We hope recent US efforts on the Syrian track will facilitate progress towards a comprehensive peace.

  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Jericho to meet the new Palestinian Administration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no such plans at present.

  Philippines
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations, including trade relations with the Philippines.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The United Kingdom and the Philippines enjoy excellent bilateral relations. The improving economic position and the political stability achieved under President Ramos's Administration has provided an excellent basis for the development of bilateral trade. United Kingdom exports to the Philippines increased by almost 50 per cent. in 1993 to £306 million.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he made to the written request of Edwin Bollier to be shown the timing equipment, retrieved from Pan Am 103 in the Tundergarth area near Lockerbie, for purposes of establishing whether the equipment was sold to the Stasi in East Germany or to the Libyan Government.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. Questions concerning the evidence revealed by the Lockerbie investigation are for the Scottish prosecuting authorities and the police. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has repeatedly made it clear that he cannot comment on details of the evidence available while criminal proceedings are pending.

  Overseas Investments
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to protect the investments of British companies overseas.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, working in close consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry, actively negotiates bilateral investment promotion and protection agreements with many countries worldwide. Since 1975 we have concluded 66 IPPAs, including eight so far this year. More are under negotiation. We are also supporting work in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on obligations under exisiting OECD investment protection measures and on a possible wider investment instrument.

  Wilton Park Executive Agency
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet begun his review of the Wilton Park executive agency.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A review of the agency status of Wilton Park will begin in September 1994. As a next steps agency, the performance of Wilton Park will be evaluated and its activities will be subjected to the normal prior options tests set out in the 1993 next steps review, Cm 2430.

  Comments and contributions from those with an interest in Wilton Park and its work would be welcome, and should be sent by 2 September 1994 to Christopher Battiscombe, CMG, Assistant Under-Secretary (Public Departments), Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Room G/107, Old Admiralty Building, London SW1A 2AF.

  Wartime Special Operations Executive
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to release more records of the wartime Special Operations Executive.

  Mr. Hurd
  I said in my answer on 20 October 1993 that the first batch of files covering SOE activities in the far east would be available to the public from 21 October 1993. The next batch, on Scandinavia, were opened to the public on 2 June. A third batch, on the middle east and north Africa, will be available in late July.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he proposes to make in his Department's diplomatic wing cash limits and running costs for 1994–95.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class II, vote 2—other external relations—will be increased by £204,105,000.

  The cash limit for class II, vote 2—other external relations—will be increased by £204,105,000 from £211,404,000 to £415,509,000, mainly to take account of contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations. The increase is partly offset by appropriations in aid. The balance will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  EC Legislation
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish(a) the number of proposals for principal legislation put forward by the European Commission in the first five months of 1994 and (b) the total number of European Commission proposals for principal legislation for each of the previous four years.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Up to the end of May 1994, the Commission had made 25 proposals for principal legislation. The total number of proposals for principal legislation during the last four years was as follows:

  1990: 185

  1991: 111

  1992: 89

  1993: 75

  European Council
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a statement on the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The following meetings are planned:

  A:

  2 June

  Health

  B:

  6 June

  ECOFIN

  C:

  6 June

  Youth

  D:

  8–9 June

  Environment

  E:

  10 June

  Fisheries

  F:

  13–14 June

  FAC

  G:

  13–14 June

  Transport

  H:

  16 June

  Internal Market

  I:

  17 June

  Culture

  J:

  20–21 June

  Justice

  K:

  21 June

  Education

  L:

  22 June

  Social Affairs

  M:

  27 June

  Research

  N:

  27–28 June

  Agriculture

  The following subjects are likely to be discussed, although those marked with an asterisk are not yet firm.

  A—2 June: Health

  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision concerning the extension of the "Europe against AIDS" programme.

  Draft resolution on the framework for action in the field of public health.

  Amended proposal for a directive on advertising for tobacco products.

  Communication and proposal for a decision on combating cancer within the framework for action in the field of public health.

  B—6 June: ECOFIN

  Preparation of Corfu European Council.

  European investment fund.

  CO2 Energy tax.

  Witholding tax.

  Taxation of diesel.

  Fight against fraud.

  Albania (Possible).

  C—6 June: Youth

  The European Parliament and Council decision to adopt the third phase of the programme "Youth for Europe III".

  Co-operation in the field of Youth.

  D—8–9 June: Environment

  Landfill—Common position.

  Packaging and Packaging Waste—follow-up to EP decision.

  Integration Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)—Debate.

  Commission on Sustainable Development—follow-up to meeting in New York on 16–27 May.

  Climate Change and Carbon/Energy Tax—Report from the High Level Group and Note from the Presidency.

  White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment—Conclusions.

  598

  Ozone Depleting Substances Regulation.

  Disposal of end-of-life vehicles (AOB item).

  Pesticides and drinking water (AOB item).

  E—10 June: Fisheries

  Technical measures in the Mediterranean.

  Compensation for peripheral regions.

  Drift nets.

  Definition of characteristics of fishing vessels.

  Report of the market situation.

  Report on the multi-annual guidance programme.

  Objectives and strategies for the CFP.

  UN conference on highly migratory species.

  Negotiating mandate code of conduct.

  Aquacultural research.

  Economic research.

  Community wide fishing permits.

  Report on third country agreements.

  F—13–14 June FAC

  Preparation of Corfu European Council.

  White Paper.

  Relations with Israel: preparation for Co-operation Council.

  Results of mission of Cyprus observer.

  Cyprus: new financial protocol.

  Malta: new financial protocol.

  Ukraine.

  Russia: PCA.

  Ex-Yugoslavia.

  Stability pact.

  CFSP Financing.

  Dual use goods.

  Textiles: amendment of regulation 636/82.

  Relations with ACP/Bananas.

  OECD ship building negotiations.

  Public access to Council documents.

  G—13–14 June: Transport

  Maritime

  Minimum training requirements for seafarers.

  Minimum standards for classification societies.

  Community Shipping Register (EUROS).

  Segregated Ballast Tanks.

  Land

  Railway Access and Charging.

  Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road.

  Road transport negotiations with third countries.

  General

  Trans-European Networks.

  Transport relations with Switzerland.

  H—16 June: Internal Market

  Resolution on administrative co-operation.

  Decision on mutual recognition.

  13th amendment to marketing and use of dangerous substances Directive.

  14th amendment to marketing and use of dangerous substances Directive.

  15th amendment to marketing and use of dangerous substances Directive.

  Data Protection.

  Lifts.

  Hallmarking.

  European pharmacopoeia.

  Novel Foods Regulation.

  European co-operation statute.

  Pension Funds Directive.

  Legal protection of databases.

  Customs mutual assistance regulation.

  1–17 June: Culture

  Agenda unavailable.

  J—20–21 June: Justice

  Agenda unavailable.

  K—21 June: Education

  Agenda unavailable.

  L—22 June: Social Affairs

  Regulation establishing a Health and Safety Agency.

  Decision on a Programme to combat Social Exclusion.

  Directive on the Protection of Health and Safety of Young People at Work.

  Decision on a Vocational Training Programme (Leonardo da Vinci).

  Directive on the setting up of a European Works Council Agreement of the 11.

  599

  Flynn Green Paper on the future of Social Policy.

  White Paper on Growth, etc.

  Commission Communication on Immigration and Asylum Policy.

  M—27 June: Research Council

  Article 130(J)—Rules for Participation of Undertakings.

  Article 130(J)—IPR rules.

  FP4 Specific Programmes.

  EC/Israel Scientific and Technical Co-operation Agreement.

  N—27–28 June: Agriculture

  Price fixing.

  Milk quotas.

  Wine regime.

  Genetic resources.

  Labelling of organic foods.

  BSE.

  Health rules for the marketing of eggs.

  Plant breeders' rights.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes will be made to the Office of Telecommunications cash limits and running costs limit for 1994–95.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 10 will be increased by £435,000 from £8,624,000 to £9,059,000 and the running cost limit has been increased by £435,000 from £8,192,000 to £8,627,000.

  The supplementary estimate is required to increase the provision for running costs to ensure that pro-competition policies are implemented.

  The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes will be made to his Department's cash limits and running costs limit for 1994–95.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 1—support for business, consumer and investor protection, energy programmes and administration—will be reduced by £4,400,000 from £1,177,477,000 to £1,173,077,000.

  A reduction in the gross provision from £1,402,638,000 to £1,398,238,000 fully accounts for this amount. This reduction results from a transfer to the Scottish Office of £4,000,000 following arrangements agreed for the sale of the National Engineering Laboratory and the transfer to the Scottish and Welsh Offices of £400,000 following a restructuring of the Design Council.

  There are some other changes in the allocation of provision. These include £700,000 of expenditure to provide support for the activities on a regional supply network. This is financed by a corresponding reduction in the gross running costs limit from £328,700,000 to £328,000,000.

  Coal Review White Paper
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish the first of the annual energy reports proposed in last year's coal review White Paper.

  Mr. Eggar
  Volume 1 of the report, "Markets in Transition", has been published today. Volume 2, "Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom", was published on 25 April. I have placed copies in the Libraries of the House.
  600
  The energy report is an important new document. It shows that we have made considerable progress towards true competition in energy supply. Most customers are now benefiting from lower prices, in real terms, than under the former state-owned monopolies. I expect emerging competition to maintain this strong downward pressure on prices. Clearly, there remains some way to go as the title of the report, "Markets in Transition", reflects. But the signs are very encouraging so far.

  The energy industries are central to the success of the United Kingdom economy. The provision of efficiently produced and secure energy is a key element in the United Kingdom's competitiveness. But a free market needs information to help consumers and investors plan with more confidence and the Government recognise that they are uniquely well placed to provide much of this information—hence the need for the report.

  The report provides valuable background and signposts to further information, for those involved, or thinking of involvement, in those markets. Its readable format also makes it a useful resource to those who are simply interested in the energy sector rather than actively involved in it.

  Gas Industry
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the process employed by him in the recruitment of the Director General of Ofgas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 14 June 1994,Official Report, column 416.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff of Ofgas met officials of his Department to prepare the consultation document "Competition and Choice in the Gas Market".

  Mr. Eggar
  My officials met most of the senior staff of Ofgas on several occasions in the course of preparing the consultation document, "Competition and Choice in the Gas Market".

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much time staff of the Office of Gas Supply spent meeting officials of his Department to prepare the consultation document "Competition and Choice in the Gas Market".

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is not available. There were many different meetings between staff at different levels.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the average number of staff employed by the Office of Gas Supply for each six-month period since its establishment.

  Mr. Eggar
  Information on staffing levels is given in the annual reports made by the Director General of Gas Supply to the Secretary of State. These reports are laid before Parliament as required by section 39(3) of the Gas Act 1986.

  Public Utilities
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to commission an inquiry to examine the implications of abolishing standing charges on domestic gas, electricity and telephone bills.
  601
  Mr. Heseltine
  I have no such plans.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the grades and qualifications of each member of each committee which contributed to the review of the fire safety legislation and its enforcement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The team undertaking the review of fire safety legislation and enforcement consisted of a grade 5 from the Department of the Environment, an area director from the Health and Safety Executive and a grade 7 from the Home Office.

  They were assisted by a steering group, chaired by a grade 3 from my Department, and made up of a number of civil servants of various grades from the Home Office, the Department of the Environment, the Health and Safety Executive, the Scottish Office, my Department and the No. 10 policy unit.

  The review team was also able to draw upon expert advice from an advisory group made up of the president of the Institute of Building Control, a serving chief fire officer, a partner in a firm of building designers and planners, the director of the Fire Protection Association and two fire safety managers from manufacturing and service sector companies.

  I have nothing further to add on the review to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy) on 14 June, Official Report, columns 427–28.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish the scrutiny team's report on fire safety legislation.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy) on 14 June,Official Report, columns 427–28.

  Capital Goods
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the value of Export Credits Guarantee Department support for long-term capital goods business for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The value of ECGD support for capital goods business since 1979–80 is as follows:

  £ million

  1979–80

  3,816

  1980–81

  3,668

  1981–82

  7,340

  1982–83

  8,440

  1983–84

  3,199

  SIC(80) Activity heading

  Brief description

  Index of production (1990 = 100)

  1978

  Peak

  (Year)

  1993

  2512

  Basic general organic chemicals

  84

  120

  (1992)

  116

  3302

  Electronic data processing equipment

  13

  142

  (1993)

  142

  3453

  Active components and electronic sub-assemblies

  43

  103

  (1992)

  99

  3510

  Motor vehicles and their engines

  132

  132

  (1978)

  91

  3530

  Motor vehicle parts

  92

  102

  (1993)

  102

  3640

  Aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing

  50

  100

  (1990)

  86

  Source: CSO—Index of production.
  602

  £ million

  1984–85

  2,458

  1985–86

  1,519

  1986–87

  2,601

  1987–88

  1,712

  1988–89

  2,067

  1989–90

  1,959

  1990–91

  2,300

  1991–92

  2,095

  1992–93

  3,802

  The totals for 1979–80 and 1980–81 are not strictly comparable with the others in the table as they are based on a now discarded definition of the value of ECGD's support.

  In his statement of the 11 May 1994, my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade announced a provisional figure for the value of ECGD support for capital goods business in 1993–94 of nearly £4.1 billion. Fuller details will be provided in ECGD's forthcoming annual report for 1993–94.

  Industrial Investment (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the financial amount of inward industrial investment within the Greater London area in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is not available in the form required. There are no published or recorded data on inward investment for London alone.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the extent of the damage of the leak of nitric acid which occurred in THORP in March 1994.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a management matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Imports and Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the principal import and export competing industries; what was the output(a) in 1990, (b) at its peak together with the year, of that peak since 1964 and (c) at the latest available date.

  Mr. Needham
  Detailed information on industrial production prior to 1978 is not readily obtainable on current classifications. The available information, for those industries where total United Kingdom overseas trade—imports plus exports—exceeded £5 billion in 1992, is given in the table:

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to his oral statement of 24 May,Official Report, column 183, what has been the change in employment in manufacturing since 1979; what is his estimate of how many jobs have been lost (a) because of lack of training, (b) lack of investment and (c) other non-price factors.

  (2) what consideration he has given, in drawing up his White Paper, "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" to the reasons for the change in the number of jobs in manufacturing industry since 1973; and if he will publish his estimate of the number of such jobs which have been lost as a result of (a) the change in the real exchange rate, (b) a poorly trained work force, (c) insufficient investment and (d) inefficient management.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There has been a general decline in manufacturing employment in the developed world for many years. Since 1979, manufacturing employment in the United Kingdom has fallen by 3 million. Factors behind the decline include major improvements in productivity and the classification of jobs where activities such as transport are contracted out.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assumption he made about the desirable level of output per man on United Kingdom manufacturing industry relative to that in(a) the USA, (b) Germany and (c) Japan in drawing up the White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win".

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The White Paper on competitiveness makes clear that United Kingdom industry must continually improve its productivity if it is to prosper in the increasingly competitive world marketplace. During the 1980s, output per man in United Kingdom manufacturing grew more quickly than in the USA, Germany or Japan.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his latest estimate of the total number of workers employed in(a) Japanese, (b) French, (c) German and (d) American-owned manufacturing plants in Britain.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The latest information refers to 1991 and is listed in the "Report on the Census of Production", summary volume, table 18, Business Monitor PA 1002, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade further to his White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win", what assessment he has made of the reason for the change since 1990 in the output of United Kingdom industries engaged in producing internationally traded goods; and what was the percentage of change from the recent peak to the present day.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Industrial production in April was slightly below its June 1990 peak, but was 1.7 per cent. above the average for 1990 as a whole and 8 per cent. higher than its trough in May 1992. In the latest three months, industrial production in the United Kingdom rose by 4.5 per cent. compared to a year earlier, while in Germany it rose by less than 2 per cent. and fell in France, Italy and Japan. The recovery in industrial production shows the benefit of low inflation, low interest rates and sound public finances.

  Pepper Gas
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research has been undertaken following the Hinsworth committee recommendations in preparation for future authorisation of the use, manufacture or export of oleorsin capsicum pepper gas within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Home Office police scientific development branch has collated scientific information available on oleorsin capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray. The study concluded that although pepper sprays are used extensively by law enforcement agencies in the United States of America there were a number of unanswered issues relating to the safety of these sprays. One particular concern is whether capsaicin, the active ingredient of OC, might cause cancer to those using or exposed to the spray.

  We have commissioned further scientific research into this aspect in consultation with the Department of Health. Following this research, which is expected to take six months to complete, we will be in a better position to judge whether pepper sprays are appropriate for police use in this country.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the sale, distribution or possession of pepper gas by members of the public.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968, as amended, devices capable of discharging a noxious substance are classed as prohibited weapons. We consider that devices such as pepper sprays are covered by the terms of section 5(1)(b). This means that their possession, acquistion, manufacture, sale or transfer is prohibited without the authority of the Secretary of State.

SCOTLAND

  Health Workers
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the planned numbers of health visitors, district nurses, school nurses, community psychiatric nurses, health visitor students and district nurse students for each year from 1995 to 1999.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is not available from data held centrally.

  Child Sexual Abuse
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases relating to the sexual abuse of children were proceeded against in Scotland in each of the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is impossible to identify all of the cases of sexual abuse where children were involved because the Scottish Office Home and Health Department's classification of crimes and offences does not contain information on the victims of crime. The table lists those sexual offences within the classification which by definition involve persons aged under 16.
  605

  Persons proceeded against in Scottish courts where the main crime was sexual abuse of persons aged under 16

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Lewd and Libidinous Practices1

  222

  226

  218

  200

  186

  Intercourse with girl under 13

  7

  6

  9

  2

  7

  Intercourse with girl between 13 and 16

  100

  105

  110

  95

  65

  Causing or encouraging seduction, prostitution of a girl under 16

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Total

  332

  337

  338

  297

  258

  1 Includes section 5 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 1976.

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the outcome for each one of the patients for whom an intensive care unit bed at Glasgow royal infirmary was requested on 29 January at a time when all five intensive care beds were full.

  Mr. Stewart
  The outcome for each of the six patients for whom a request for an intensive care bed was made was as follows:

  First patient —transferred from the burns unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), to the intensive care unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.

  Second patient—transferred from emergency theatre, GRI, to the intensive care unit, Southern General, Glasgow.

  Third patient —following discussion between the referring consultant and the consultant in charge of intensive care, patient remained in the geriatric assessment unit, GRI.

  Fourth patient —tranferred from Inverclyde hospital to the intensive care unit, Southern General, Glasgow.

  Fifth patient —underwent emergency surgery at GRI but died in theatre.

  Sixth patient —remained in the medical receiving unit, GRI.

  GPs (Night Visits)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what trends general practitioners have experienced in the number of night visits over the last 25 years; and what is his assessment of the reasons for those trends.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information available centrally is for 1976–77 onwards and is as follows:

  Financial year

  Number of night visits

  1976–77

  81,614

  1977–78

  80,989

  1978–79

  83,909

  1979–80

  84,620

  1980–81

  83,347

  1981–82

  90,649

  1982–83

  96,231

  1983–84

  103,106

  1984–85

  107,598

  1985–86

  119,130

  1986–87

  138,104

  1987–88

  122,747

  1988–89

  132,640

  1989–90

  143,556

  1990–91

  206,946

  1991–92

  244,310

  1992–93

  232,201

  1993–94

  245,158

  Notes:

  1. The figures for financial years 1976–77 to 1989–90 are derived from total accrued payments to general medical practitioners in Scotland for night visits for each of those years.

  2. The figures for 1990–91 to 1992–93 are the total numbers of night visit claims for which GMPs received payment in each of those years.
  606
  3. The figure for 1993–94 is an estimate based on the total number of night visit claims for which GMPs received payment during the first six months of that year.

  NHS Complaints
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what examination is being made by the Scottish Office of the current procedures for dealing with complaints within the national health service following the report on this matter produced by the Department of Health.

  Mr. Stewart
  The report entitled "Being Heard", prepared by an independent committee under the chairmanship of Professor Alan Wilson, vice chancellor of Leeds university, makes recommendations for changes to the procedures for making and handling of complaints throughout the United Kingdom. The report was published on 11 May and my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State has invited comments on the proposals contained in the report. These should be submitted by Friday 12 August.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements exist in each health board in Scotland for dealing with patients' complaints.

  Mr. Stewart
  Health boards operate on the basis of two statutory complaints procedures, as set out in the reply that I gave to the hon. Member on 6 May 1994 at column 687 and of a non-statutory procedure for dealing with complaints which relate to the clinical judgment of medical and dental staff in hospitals.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints have been received by each of the health boards in Scotland during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Stewart
  This information is not available for the full period requested. Information about complaints is now published in a series of quarterly complaints bulletins copies of which are held in the Library of the House. The first of these bulletins covers the period from 1 January to 31 March 1993.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Lord Advocate's estimate of the likely length of criminal proceedings arising out of the Lockerbie disaster.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Once the two Libyan accused have been fully committed in custody for trial before a Scottish court the prosecution authorities must be prepared to commence the trial within 110 days from that
  607
  date—which means effectively, within 120 days of their being brought before the court following arrest. It is open to the defence to seek a postponement of trial and the court may, for that purpose, extend the 110-day period. A criminal trial arising from an investigation as extensive as the Lockerbie inquiry will inevitably run for a substantial period of time, but the length of the trial is not controlled by the Crown and so it is not possible for my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate to give an estimate of its length.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to make any changes to the cash limits for 1994–95 within his responsibility.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval I intend to make changes to two voted cash limits and in addition one of the non-voted cash blocks.

  (a) The cash limit for class XIV, vote 3, training programmes, roads and transport services and industrial support, Scotland, will be increased by £74,300,000 from £798,104,000 to £872,404,000. The increase comprises transfers of £70,000,000 from Department of Transport and £4,300,000 from Department of Trade and Industry.

  (b) The cash limit for class XIV, vote 9, revenue support grants and payments of non-domestic rates etc, Scotland will be decreased by £62,000 from £4,882,353,000 to £4,882,291,000 after an error was identified in a non-domestic rate income return submitted by a levying authority. The erroneous figure had been used when the Estimates were compiled but it was later corrected in the Revenue Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1994 laid before Parliament on 17 February 1994.

  (c) The non-voted cash limit SO/LA2, which covers housing capital expenditure by local authorities and capital expenditure by new towns will be decreased by £6,900,000 from £269,892,000 to £262,992,000. This decrease reflects a transfer of strategic investment sites from new towns to Scottish Enterprise. A compensatory increase was included in the main estimate for class XIV vote 3 for 1994–95.

  None of these changes add to the total of public expenditure.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be in a position to announce the membership of the Scottish advisory body on sustainable development; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland indicated in January his intention to establish an advisory body of experts to examine the practical challenges of sustainable development in Scotland. Professor William Ritchie, vice-principal of Aberdeen university is to chair the body.

  The body, which is to be known as the Secretary of State for Scotland's advisory group on sustainable development, will have the following nine members embracing a range of relevant interests:

  Nan Burnett: Chairman, South East Regional Board and Board Member, Scottish Natural Heritage.

  Ann Foster: Director of the Scottish Consumer Council.

  Sir Charles Fraser: Former Chairman of Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise.

  Patricia Henton: Director, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Aspinwall and Co.

  Professor Bart McGettrick: Principal, St. Andrew's College of Education.

  608

  Councillor Rosemary McKenna: (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth District Council), Senior Vice President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

  Cameron McLatchie: Chairman and Chief Executive, British Polythene Industries.

  Simon Pepper: Head of Operations, World Wide Fund for Nature Scotland.

  Professor Roger Wiley: Chief Executive of the Environmental Centre for Waste Management at Paisley University.

  The Group has been given the following remit:
  To advise the Secretary of State for Scotland on:
  policy issues and practical challenges for Scotland as a consequence of adopting the principles of sustainable development.
  implications for Scotland of advice from the Government's panel on sustainable development for the UK, with which it will maintain regular contact.
  measures to achieve the closer integration of environmental issues in the policies and practices of both the private and public sectors across Scotland.
  any members referred to the group by the Secretary of State.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make public the report of the chief executive of the NHS Executive's inquiry into the events surrounding the dismissal of the general manager of the Greater Glasgow health board.

  Mr. Lang
  The chief executive's inquiry is now complete and I have arranged for copies of his report to be placed in the Library.

  Railway Restructuring
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if increased funding will be made available to Strathclyde regional council in 1994–95 for the additional costs incurred as a result of the restructuring of the railways and implementation of the new track and rolling stock charging system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Under the new railway charging systems introduced on 1 April 1994, we expect the cost to Strathclyde regional council of maintaining the existing level of Strathclyde passenger transport executive-supported rail services to increase. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has given an undertaking that the additional costs will be met in full by a transfer of funds from the Department of Transport through the Scottish Office to Strathclyde regional council. Payment will be subject to Strathclyde passenger transport executive and British Rail having made the necessary contractual arrangements. The funds will be in addition to Strathclyde's local government finance settlement and will be disregarded for capping purposes.

  Parliamentary approval for this new service will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the training programmes, roads and transport services and industrial support, Scotland vote, class XIV, vote 3. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £30 million to cover payments in the early part of the current year, will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Prison Staff
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the ratio of staff to prisoners in each prison at the latest available date.
  609
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 14 June 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 15 June 1994:

  Lord Fraser of Carmyllie has asked me to reply to your question about the ratio of staff to prisoners in each prison.

  The information you require is given in the attached table.

  Ratio of Staff to Prisoners as at 20 May 1994

  Establishment

  Staff per Prisoner

  Aberdeen

  0.9

  Barlinnie

  0.5

  Barlinnie Special Unit

  2.6

  Castle Huntly

  1.4

  Cornton Vale

  1.2

  Dumfries

  1.5

  Dungavel

  0.7

  Edinburgh

  0.7

  Friarton

  0.7

  Greenock

  0.7

  Glenochil

  0.9

  Inverness

  1

  Longriggend

  1

  Low Moss

  0.4

  Noranside

  0.7

  Penninghame

  0.8

  Perth

  0.9

  Peterhead

  1.2

  Polmont

  0.9

  Shotts

  0.9

  Shotts Alternative Unit

  3.5

  ANNEX

  Establishment and alcohol programme run by

  1991 Number completed1

  1992 Number completed1

  1993 Number completed1

  1994 To date number completed

  Aberdeen

  Aberdeen alcohol advisory and counselling service, prison social work unit

  2—

  2—

  24

  46

  Barlinnie

  Glasgow council on alcohol, alcoholics anonymous, trained prison staff

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Barlinnie Unit

  Glasgow council on alcohol

  1

  2

  Nil

  Nil

  Castle Huntly

  Prison social worker, prison education officer

  27

  15

  30

  19

  Cornton Vale

  Scottish council on alcohol, alcoholics anonymous, trained prison staff, prison social workers

  2—

  2—

  2—

  9

  Dumfries

  Nil (contact is maintained with Alcoholics Anonymous)

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Dungavel

  Prison social work unit, alcoholics anonymous

  18

  40

  43

  15

  Edinburgh

  Prison education unit, alcoholics anonymous

  28

  32

  27

  18

  Friarton

  Alcoholics anonymous, prison education unit

  10

  10

  10

  4

  Glenochil

  Alcoholics anonymous, Scottish council on alcohol

  80

  80

  80

  80

  Greenock

  Inverclyde alcohol project, prison social work unit, alcoholics anonymous

  2—

  5

  15

  17

  Inverness

  Scottish council on alcohol

  40

  40

  40

  40

  Longriggend

  Alcoholics anonymous, prison social work unit, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, addiction and advisory centre

  259

  312

  476

  113

  Low Moss

  Prison addictions unit, alcoholics anonymous

  2—

  2—

  2—

  34

  Prisons (Alcohol Abuse Programmes)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in which prisons alcohol abuse and misuse programmes are available to prisoners; how many prisoners(a) commenced and (b) completed the programme in each prison in 1991, 1992, 1993 and so far this year; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 14 June 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman dated 15 June 1994:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question about alcohol abuse and misuse programmes within Scottish penal establishments, including the number of prisoners commencing and completing available programmes during 1991, 1992, 1993 and so far in 1994.
  The table in the Annex shows the information available. Figures for Barlinnie are not presently collated and I will write again when the figures are available.
  In 1991, the Scottish Prison Service, in consultation with the Scottish Council on Alcohol, introduced the "Ending Offending" education package. This package was aimed primarily at helping prisoners in the 16 to 30 age group with alcohol related problems address their drinking and offending behaviour. In addition, Alcoholics Anonymous attend most establishments and hold weekly meetings.
  611

  Establishment and alcohol programme run by

  1991 Number completed1

  1992 Number completed1

  1993 Number completed1

  1994 To date number completed

  Noranside

  Alcoholics anonymous, Tayside council on alcohol, prison education unit

  4

  14

  19

  21

  Penninghame

  Prison education unit, prison social work, alcoholics anonymous, al-teen

  2—

  2—

  54

  12

  Perth

  Tayside council on alcohol, alcoholics anonymous, prison social work unit

  13

  21

  12

  32

  Peterhead

  Prison education unit, alcoholics anonymous

  26

  46

  80

  40

  Polmont

  Prison social work unit, Scottish council on alcohol

  65

  63

  42

  16

  Shotts

  Alcoholics anonymous

  4

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Shotts unit

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Total

  571

  680

  952

  516

  1 The numbers quoted show the total number of prisoners who completed alcohol programmes. The number of prisoners who commenced but did not complete the programmes is not available.

  2 No figures available.

  3 Figures to follow.

  4 30 Prisoners attend per week.

  The figures do not include the prisoners who receive individual counselling from prison based social workers or community based addiction counsellors.

  Ravenspark Hospital
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 3 May,Official Report, column 498, when he expects to approve the contract agreed between Burley Health Care plc and Ayrshire and Arran health board for replacement care provision arising out of the planned closure of Ravenspark hospital.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 June 1994]: The decision on whether or not to contract with Burley Health Care plc is a matter for Ayrshire and Arran health board but, in terms of its accountability to the Secretary of State, the board must be able to demonstrate that its purchasing decisions are firmly based on the assessed needs of its population both in the immediate and longer term; will bring greater benefits to patients; and represent value for money. These matters are under discussion with the health board.

WALES

  Local Government
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the number of employees of each district and county council in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest estimates of local authority staff numbers, excluding those employed under special employment and training measures, are given in the following table.

  Number of staff employed by local authorities at March 19941

  Full-time employees

  Part-time employees2

  County Councils3

  Clwyd

  6,960

  7,323

  Dyfed

  7,643

  7,227

  Gwent

  8,615

  9,707

  Gwynedd

  4,877

  4,730

  Mid Glamorgan

  12,173

  9,078

  Powys4

  2,990

  2,495

  612

  Full-time employees

  Part-time employees2

  South Glamorgan

  7,502

  7,128

  West Glamorgan

  8,205

  5,938

  District Councils:

  Aberconwy5

  447

  36

  Alyn and Deeside

  498

  98

  Arfon

  494

  75

  Blaenau Gwent

  912

  155

  Brecknock

  222

  28

  Cardiff

  2,454

  1,103

  Carmarthen

  372

  71

  Ceredigion

  528

  30

  Colwyn

  369

  86

  Cynon Valley

  591

  43

  Delyn

  473

  185

  Dinefwr

  235

  14

  Dwyfor

  235

  23

  Glyndwr

  256

  92

  Islwyn

  620

  77

  Llanelli

  608

  80

  Lliw Valley

  487

  80

  Meirionnydd

  280

  47

  Merthyr Tydfil

  685

  87

  Monmouth

  448

  124

  Montgomeryshire

  301

  150

  Neath

  534

  81

  Newport

  1,184

  243

  Ogwr

  924

  243

  Port Tabot

  436

  84

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  508

  64

  Radnorshire

  144

  51

  Rhondda

  736

  214

  Rhuddlan

  341

  47

  Rhymney Valley

  906

  265

  South Pembrokeshire

  287

  25

  Swansea

  2,271

  217

  Taff Ely

  654

  128

  Torfaen

  768

  158

  Vale of Glamorgan

  699

  140

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,071

  204

  Ynys Mon

  445

  77

  Source: Local Government Management Board (LGMB)

  1 Provisional.

  2 Working no more than 30 hours per week.

  3 Excludes Police, Magistrates Courts and Probation Service staff.

  4 As at September 1992.

  5 As at March 1993.
  613
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of senior grade employees of each district and county council in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Hip Replacement Operations
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hip operations carried out in Wales over the last five years have been carried out by (i) consultant orthopaedic surgeons or their registrars and (ii) general surgeons.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The number of hip replacements carried out as principal operations in the care of consultants for the period is given in the table.

  Consultant Specialty

  General surgery1

  Trauma and Orthopaedics1

  Total

  1988–89

  1

  903

  904

  1989–90

  3

  943

  946

  1990–91

  3

  816

  819

  21991–92

  1,103

  1,103

  21992–93

  1

  1,230

  1,231

  Source: Hospital Activity Analysis 1988 to 1990. Patient Episode Database for Wales 1991 onwards.

  1 In addition a small number of hip replacements were undertaken by consultants from other specialties. Figures may understate the true position in that not all hospitals provide complete clinical information.

  2 Provisional.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all those hospitals in Wales which carry out hip replacement operations; and in which of these the operations take place in theatres with laminar air flow facilities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each of the last five years the number of(a) hip replacement operations and (b) hip revision operations carried out in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The number of hip replacements and revisions carried out as principal operations during the period is given in the table:

  Hip replacement operations1

  Hip revision operations1

  Total

  1988–89

  909

  690

  1,599

  1989–90

  954

  687

  1,641

  1990–91

  822

  513

  1,335

  21991–92

  1,103

  414

  1,517

  21992–93

  1,231

  366

  1,597

  Source: Hospital Activity 1988 to 1990. Patient Episode Database for Wales 1991 onwards.

  1 Figures may understate the true position in that not all hospitals provide complete clincial information.

  2 Provisional.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the hospitals in Wales with accident and emergency units; and which of them have on-site, on-call consultant cover on a 24-hour a day basis.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  All 13 general hospitals in Wales have major accident and emergency units with access to a full range of support services. Details of medical cover, which will vary according to local needs, are not held centrally. The general hospitals concerned are:

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd—Bodelwyddan

  Ysbyty Gwynedd—Bangor

  Wrexham Maelor—Wrexham

  Bronglais General Hospital—Aberystwyth

  West Wales General Hospital—Carmarthen

  Prince Philip Hospital—Llanelli

  Morriston Hospital—Swansea

  Princess of Wales Hospital—Bridgend

  East Glamorgan General Hospital—Church Village

  Prince Charles Hospital—Merthyr Tydfil

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary—Cardiff

  Royal Gwent Hospital—Newport

  Nevill Hall—Abergavenny

  Health Workers
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the planned numbers of health visitors, district nurses, school nurses, community psychiatric nurses, health visitor students and district nurse students for each year from 1995 to 1999.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information on planned numbers of health visitors, district nurses, school nurses and community psychiatric nurses is not available in the format requested.

  The number of health visitor students and district nurse students are reviewed annually to take account of the latest work force planning information. Figures for 1995–1999 are therefore not available.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of health visitors, district nurses, school nurses and community psychiatric nurses expressed as whole-time equivalents in September in each year from 1988 to 1992.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health visitors were employed in each health authority or NHS trust in Wales in each year since 1985 in terms of both full-time and part-time employees.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information for nursing staff is available centrally from the NHS payroll system and associated information systems. Detailed breakdowns, from this source, of the number of nursing staff employed by health authorities and NHS trusts into occupational groups such as those requested are not considered reliable.

  Nursery and Reception Classes
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been made available in each year since 1980 for nursery and reception classes in Welsh local education authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Resources made available to local authorities through the annual settlement are not hypothecated to individual services. Actual expenditure on nursery and reception classes cannot be separately identified within the data collected centrally.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the location of residential and nursing homes; if he will make it his policy to increase the powers of planning authorities in this area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Since 1 Janaury 1993, my right hon. Friend has received four representations, all of which were objections to proposals to change the use of existing properties to such homes. My right hon. Friend has no proposals to increase the powers available to local planning authorities to control this type of development.

  Coxsackie Virus
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the incidence of the coxsackie virus in Wales in the last two years; and in what geographical areas the problem has been identified.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Estimates of the incidence of coxsackie virus infection are based on voluntary reports made to the Public Health Laboratory Service communicable disease surveillance centre by microbiology laboratories throughout Wales. The number of cases of coxsackie virus reported by laboratories in Wales in 1992 and 1993 are shown in the table. There are no reported cases as yet in 1994. Information regarding the area of occurrence is not readily available.

  1992

  1993

  Coxsackie A

  5

  5

  Coxsackie B

  6

  10

  —

  —

  Total

  11

  15

  Source:

  Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre of the Public Health Laboratory Service.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research is being undertaken into the coxsackie virus in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No separate research is being carried out in Wales. However, the Public Health Laboratory Service are undertaking a retrospective analysis of the epidemiology of coxsackie virus infection in England and Wales over the last 20 years.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the voluntary all-Wales organisations which are supported financially by his Department; and what amount of support is given to each organisation.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is as follows. It is based on funding for 1993–94.

  Voluntary Organisation

  Funding Received 1993–94 £

  Wales Council for Voluntary Action

  369,480

  Community Service Volunteers

  66,547

  Charities Evaluation Service

  21,580

  616

  Voluntary Organisation

  Funding Received 1993–94 £

  Business in the Community

  23,630

  Welsh Women's Aid

  497,987

  Shelter Cymru

  222,649

  Special Needs Housing Advisory Service

  73,400

  Care and Repair

  156,272

  Tenant Participation Advisory Service (Wales)

  159,000

  Welsh Tenants' Federation

  82,221

  Positive Action Training in Housing (Local Authorities)

  23,150

  Alcohol Concern Wales

  78,758

  Drugaid

  34,722

  Youthlink Wales

  68,094

  Standing Conference of Voluntary Organisations

  201,391

  MENCAP

  84,370

  People First Wales

  13,283

  The Civic Trust for Wales

  35,880

  Welsh Archaeological Trusts

  899,675

  The Order of St John

  124,221

  ASH

  56,130

  Royal Life Saving Society

  10,000

  Marie Curie Cancer Care

  500

  Family Planning Association

  1,600

  La Leche League

  850

  Theatr Fforwm Cymru

  3,470

  British Fluoridation Society

  3,200

  Extend

  2,800

  Association of Welsh Wildlife Trusts

  16,200

  British Trust for Conservation Volunteers

  49,546

  Centre for Alternative Technology

  15,400

  Friends of the Earth Cymru

  33,972

  Keep Wales Tidy Campaign

  195,661

  National Trust

  5,000

  Prince of Wales' Committee

  87,824

  Ramblers' Association

  8,653

  Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  23,696

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  3,142

  Wales Wildlife and Countryside Link

  12,979

  Age Concern Wales

  213,065

  Arts for Disabled People in Wales

  37,000

  British Association for Service to the Elderly

  20,200

  Carers National Association Wales

  66,301

  Crossroads Wales

  100,000

  Hijinx Theatre

  2,400

  PHAB

  30,520

  Sense

  25,000

  Wales Council for the Blind

  95,978

  Wales Council for the Deaf

  144,700

  Wales Council for the Disabled

  348,078

  Wales Disabled Drivers Assessment Centre

  34,028

  Wales MIND Cymm

  41,819

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship

  51,263

  Manic Depression Fellowship

  16,999

  Alzheimers Disease Society

  44,753

  CRUSE Bereavement Care

  28,017

  Welsh Books Council

  1,139,621

  Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin

  639,316

  National Eisteddfod

  388,000

  Urdd Gobaith Cymru

  278,670

  Nant Gwrtheym

  93,600

  Papurau Bro

  47,000

  Welsh Learners' Society (CYD)

  47,000

  Duke of Edinburgh's Award

  27,500

  Merched y Wawr

  22,330

  National Federation of Women's Institutes

  18,325

  Sunday Schools Council

  14,200

  Wales Young Farmers

  14,250

  Cymru a'r Byd

  3,000

  Council for Education in World Citizenship

  476

  Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales

  2,500

  Pont

  8,300

  Menter a Busnes

  22,000

  Academi Gymreig

  2,235

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  29,545

  Dolen Cymru

  13,240

  Baptist Youth Ministry

  10,000

  617

  Voluntary Organisation

  Funding Received 1993–94 £

  Boys Brigade in Wales

  14,850

  Church in Wales Board of Mission

  15,600

  Guides Cymru

  11,722

  Gwerin y Coed

  15,000

  UNAIYS

  14,000

  United Reformed Church Youth Project

  10,644

  Welsh Federation of Boys and Girls' Groups

  114,714

  YMCA Wales

  48,936

  Welsh Association of Youth Clubs

  45,899

  Welsh Scout Council

  21,000

  Youth Events Wales

  4,200

  Welsh Chess Union

  5,500

  British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering

  71,920

  Catholic Children and Family Care Society (Wales)

  49,460

  Childline

  61,409

  Children in Wales

  197,155

  Children's Society

  111,350

  Children's Cancer Support Unit

  5,280

  Gingerbread

  56,639

  Homestart Consultancy

  25,837

  Joint Breastfeeding Initiative

  16,810

  Kids Clubs Networks

  14,978

  National Children's Homes

  126,040

  National Association for Young People in Care

  62,730

  National Childminding Association

  147,750

  National Fostercare Association

  36,155

  Relate

  18,530

  Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society

  10,530

  Wales Assembly of Women

  9,410

  Wales Pre-School Playgroups Association

  165,820

  Chwarae Teg

  18,760

  Child Protection (Training)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all changes since 1992 in child protection training procedures for health visitors in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Since 1992 child protection training has been a part of initial training for health visitors and a recommended part of their post-basic and continuing education.

  Full-time equivalent teachers in maintained primary schools1

  Increase

  1990

  1993

  Number

  Percent.

  Clwyd

  1,510

  1,610

  100

  6.6

  Dyfed

  1,597

  1,625

  28

  1.8

  Gwent

  1,798

  1,843

  45

  2.5

  Gwynedd

  945

  926

  -19

  -2.0

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,347

  2,386

  39

  1.7

  Powys

  519

  513

  -6

  -1.2

  South Glamorgan

  1,607

  1,737

  130

  8.1

  West Glamorgan

  1,609

  1,646

  37

  2.3

  Wales total

  11,932

  12,286

  354

  3.0

  1 Qualified teachers in primary schools at January each year excluding those employed by the LEA who are allocated to particular schools—for example, peripatetic teachers.

  Health Service Waiting Lists
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people not on waiting lists for treatment were waiting to see a specialist in the national health service at the end of March.

  Road Maintenance
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure on road maintenance in Wales for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Figures for current expenditure on roads maintenance are:

  Financial year

  Local authorities1 £ million

  Central government2 £ million

  1989–90

  3124.7

  15.3

  1990–91

  135.5

  18.6

  1991–92

  141.9

  20.9

  1992–93

  149.3

  23.2

  1993–94

  4150.4

  426.3

  Includes all highways and bridge maintenance, street cleaning for highways purposes, lighting, road safety and associated professional and technical services and net expenditure incurred on behalf of other local authorities under agency agreements.

  2 Expenditure on motorways and trunk roads.

  3 A new definition of current expenditure was introduced in 1990–91 and this figure is not strictly comparable with those of later years.

  4 Provisional figures.

  Teachers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many primary schools in each county in Wales have reduced the number of teachers following the introduction of formula funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  An analysis in terms of the number of schools could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the number of teachers in primary schools in each county are given in the table. Formula funding was introduced in April 1990 and so the table compares the numbers of teachers at January 1990 with the most recent data available, which are for Janaury 1993.

  There has been an overall increase of 354 teachers across Wales reflecting an increase in pupil numbers. In Powys and Gwynedd pupil numbers have fallen proportionately more than teacher numbers, so the pupil:teacher ratios have improved.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information relating to the number of people waiting for a first out-patient consultation at NHS hospitals in Wales on 31 March 1994 is due to be published in August 1994. Welsh health authorities and GP fundholders reported 130,440 people on their lists for a
  619
  first out-patient consultation at 31 March 1994. These may include people waiting for consultations at hospitals outside Wales.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he proposes to make to the cash limits for his Department in the current financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit on class XV, vote 2 will be reduced by £9,994,000, from £185,192,000 to £175,198,000; the cash limit on class XV, vote 4 will be increased by £967,000, from £564,452,000 to £565,419,000; the cash limit on class XV, vote 5 will be increased by £4,820,000, from £487,955,000 to £492,775,000; the cash limit on class XV, vote 8 will be increased by £3,000,000 from £1,498,032,000 to £1,502,032,000. The local authority capital limitWO/LACAP—will be increased by £1,079,000 from £464,390,000 to £465,811,000.

  The decrease in the cash limit for vote 2 is in respect of the planned recovery of an additional payment of grant in aid made to the Welsh Development Agency in 1993–94 to help cover a major receipt expected in that year but delayed until 1994–95.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 4 provides for the expected increase in the number of participants in training for work claiming allowances.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 5 comprises £4,000,000 extra for central Government expenditure on motorways and trunk roads, an additional £500,000 for transport grant for the third Dee crossing and an additional £320,000 for the Staff Commission for Wales.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 8 provides an additional £3,000,000 for central Government expenditure on health and personal social services.

  There is also one change to a non-voted cash limit. The increase in the cash limit for WO/LACAP is in respect of an additional £1,000,000 for a housing "under-occupation"
  620
  initiative; and extra £500,000 for a supplementary credit approval for the third Dee crossing and a reduction of £421,000 as a result of a transfer to the Home Office in respect of the fire service.

  None of the proposed changes will add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Cadw
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Cadw has been set the following key targets for 1994–95:

  (i) To complete 90 per cent. of the approved conservation maintenance programme.

  (ii) To complete 40 re-survey lists.

  (iii) To resolve 75 per cent. of ad hoc listing cases within 120 days.

  (iv) To complete 100 scheduling actions, of which at least 70 per cent. involve additional protection.

  (v) To resolve 75 per cent. of listed building consent cases within 28 days, and 90 per cent. of cases within 42 days.

  (vi) To resolve 75 per cent. of scheduled monument consent cases within 90 days, and 90 per cent. of cases within 120 days.

  (vii) To resolve 80 per cent. of historic buildings grant applications within 17 weeks.

  (viii) To resolve 80 per cent. of ancient monument grant applications within six weeks.

  (ix) To pay 90 per cent. of properly presented claims for historic buildings and ancient monument grants within four weeks of receipt.

  (x) To achieve a market share of 63 per cent. of the number of visitors to the top 20 heritage sites in Wales.

  (xi) To increase the average spend per visitor to 206 pence.

  (xii) To operate within allocated programme and running cost budgets.

  (xiii) To achieve an efficiency saving of 2.0 per cent. on gross running costs.

  Full details of Cadw's performance against its targets for 1993–94 will be published in the agency's annual report.

  DRIVING LICENCES: PLASTIC CARD PROPOSAL
  DRIVING LICENCES: PLASTIC CARD PROPOSAL
  TRIDENT II D5 MISSILE TEST FIRING
  TRIDENT II D5 MISSILE TEST FIRING
  SOUTHERN SUDAN: HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES
  SOUTHERN SUDAN: HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES
  SOUTH AFRICA: COMMONWEALTH MEMBERSHIP
  SOUTH AFRICA: COMMONWEALTH MEMBERSHIP
  EUROPEAN COMMISSION: PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION
  EUROPEAN COMMISSION: PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION
  WILTON PARK: REVIEW
  WILTON PARK: REVIEW
  LEGAL SERVICES: OMBUDSMAN'S REPORT
  LEGAL SERVICES: OMBUDSMAN'S REPORT
  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OCCUPATION OF THE FAMILY HOME: REPORT
  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OCCUPATION OF THE FAMILY HOME: REPORT
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, LUXEMBOURG, 10th JUNE
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, LUXEMBOURG, 10th JUNE
  CHINESE FORCED LABOUR: PRISON MADE GOODS ALLEGATIONS
  CHINESE FORCED LABOUR: PRISON MADE GOODS ALLEGATIONS
  WASTE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS: POLICY
  WASTE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS: POLICY
  DoE CASH LIMITS: CHANGES
  DoE CASH LIMITS: CHANGES
  BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY CONVENTION: UK RATIFICATION
  BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY CONVENTION: UK RATIFICATION