Written Answers of 17 June 1994

EMPLOYMENT

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many civil servants taking early retirement or redundancy went into employment with a training and enterprise council since the abolition of the councils.

  Miss Widdecombe
  None. Training and enterprise councils have not been abolished.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Divorce
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate has been made of the cost of the provision of divorce information as set out in the Green Paper entitled, "Mediation and the Ground for Divorce."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No decisions have been made about the proposals in the Government's consultation paper. When reponses to that paper have been fully considered, the Lord Chancellor will decide how best to proceed and relevant cost estimates will be prepared.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department with whom he has had consultations over the provision of divorce information as set out in the Green Paper, "Mediation and the Ground for Divorce."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Approximately 700 responses to the consultation paper have been received. Many of those responses referred to the provision of divorce information.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training he intends to provide for those who will be responsible for the provision of divorce information and mediation under the proposals contained in the Green Paper, "Mediation and the Ground for Divorce."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No decisions have been made about the proposals in the consultation paper. It is therefore too early to decide what training might be required.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the cost of training mediators, pursuant to the proposals contained in the Green Paper, "Mediation and the Ground for Divorce."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Depending upon the decisions which are made about the proposals in the consultation paper, an assessment would be made of the cost of any additional training of mediators.
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  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury about the cost of the provision of divorce information as set out in the Government's Green paper, "Mediation and the Ground for Divorce."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Discussions between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Treasury take place in the usual way. No final conclusions have been reached.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if it is his policy that there should be a phased take-on of work for the mediation service, pursuant to the proposals contained in the Green Paper, "Mediation and the Ground for Divorce."

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No decisions have been made about the proposals in the consultation paper. It is therefore too early to decide how they might be implemented.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for how many solicitors' offices pre-contract audit for legal aid franchise has been completed; and how many of these solicitors' offices had passed their pre-contract audit, as of 13 May.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  By 13 May, 312 pre-contract audits had been carried out. Of the 111 which have been determined, 99 had passed their pre-contract audit.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many solicitors had submitted and not withdrawn applications for legal aid franchises in each of the legal aid areas as of 13 May.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As of 13 May, 1,426 solicitors' offices had submitted and not withdrawn applications for legal aid franchises. The breakdown is as follows:

  Number

  London

  164

  Brighton

  105

  Reading

  182

  Bristol

  163

  Cardiff

  62

  Birmingham

  82

  Manchester

  96

  Newcastle

  57

  Leeds

  100

  Nottingham

  111

  Cambridge

  153

  Chester

  72

  Liverpool

  79

TRANSPORT

  M25
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received from the Spelthorne constituency for and against the finalised proposals for M25 link roads.

  Mr. Key
  This question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.
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  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Wilshire, dated 16 June 1994:
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of representations received from the Spelthorne constituency for and against the M25 link road proposals.
  Draft highway Orders for the provision of link roads between junctions 12 and 15 of the M25 were published on 7 April this year. The objection period ends on 15 July. By 7 June, 43 letters of objection and one letter of support from addresses within the Spelthorne constituency had been recorded.

  M40
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his latest estimate for daily traffic flows on the M40 between(a) junctions 5 and 6 and (b) junction 6 (Lewknor) and Postcombe;

  (2) how many residential properties lie within 100 m, 200 m and 300 m of the M40 between junctions 5 and 6;

  (3) what is his Department's estimate of the cost of resurfacing the M40 between junction 6 (Lewknor), and Postcombe with porous asphalt;

  (4) how many residential properties lie within 100 m, 200 m and 300 m of the M40 between Lewknor, junction 6 and Postcombe;

  (5) what is his Department's estimate of the noise reduction which will be achieved for local residents of resurfacing the M40 between (a) junctions 5 and 6 with hot-rolled asphalt and (b) junction 6 (Lewknor) and Postcombe with porous asphalt;

  (6) what is his Department's estimate of the cost of resurfacing the M40 between junctions 5 and 6 with (a) hot-rolled asphalt and (b) porous asphalt.

  Mr. Key
  These questions relate to operational matters of the Highway Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Lidington, dated 16 June 1994:
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent six Parliamentary Questions about the forthcoming resurfacing of the M40 between Junction 5 (Stokenchurch) and Adwell near Postcombe.
  It might be helpful if I were first to fill in some of the background. The obligations placed on the Department of Transport to deal with noise intrusion relate only to where the Department acts in the manner of a developer in providing a new road or in substantially altering an existing one. It follows that the Agency can only undertake maintenance of existing roads for genuine maintenance reasons and, trials apart, then only in the most cost-effective manner. As porous asphalt (PA) is known to be more costly to construct and maintain, normally its use can only be justified at present for new construction works where these higher costs can be offset by savings in the costs of noise mitigation measures which would be otherwise incurred. There are, of course, no similar offsetting saings to be had in the case of maintenance works.
  PA is relatively new material which needs to be tested before more wide scale use. The 4½ mile section of the M40 which is now to be re-surfaced was built in the early 1970s and has a jointed concrete carriageway. As we have no experience of overlaying PA on roads constructed in this way, we are taking the opportunity presented by the maintenance to carry out a trial over the 2 mile stretch between Junction 6 and Adwell. This length is quite adequate for trial purposes. The trial is not, therefore, specifically aimed at noise reduction but it is designed to get some of the technical information you seek and more. Interim results are unlikely to be available for at least 18 months. The answers which I give below to your questions should, therefore, be taken as very provisional.
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  Tenders for the maintenance contract are still being evaluated. Early indications are that the additional construction costs of resurfacing with PA the length between Junction 6 (Lewknor) and Adwell (near Postcombe) will be in the order of £800,000. Using the tenders for that length as the measure, the additional construction costs of using PA on the length between Junctions 5 and 6 would be in the order of £1M. I cannot yet quantify additional maintenance costs.
  The Agency has had no reason to undertake accurate assessments of the number of properties close to the M40 in these areas. However, a count made from available plans suggests the numbers may be as follows:

  Number of Properties

  Location

  100m

  200m

  300m

  Junctions 5–6

  30

  51

  68

  Junction 6—Adwell

  2

  14

  56

  In 1993 the average traffic flow between Junctions 6 and 7 was 71,200 vehicles per day. There is not a traffic counter between Junctions 5 and 6, but flows there are likely to be broadly similar to the adjoining stretch of motorway.

  As the maintenance work is not aimed at noise reduction, we have not carried out any assessment of existing noise levels over the Junctions 5 to 6 length and have not estimated the reductions which might result from the re-surfacing of that length in hot rolled asphalt (HRA). It is likely, however, that the perceived noise levels will be less given the elimination of joints in the present surface.

  'Before and after' measurements of noise will be taken at selected sites to quantify the noise reducing properties of PA on the Junction 6 (Lewknor) to Adwell length. The results will not be available for some time. No estimates have been made.

  Road Signs
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to change the signs on major roads to include metric distances.

  Mr. Key
  We would consider such a change only if we were satisfied that the benefits would justify the substantial costs involved.

  Road and Rail Investment
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards instituting a common appraisal method for road and rail investment.

  Mr. Key
  The Department employs a wide range of appraisal procedures which reflect the many considerations that need to be taken into account, such as the importance of benefits to the wider community and the structure of management incentives. But the methods are applied in a way designed to ensure there is no bias in favour of any one mode.

  In urban areas the Department is developing the "package approach" to local transport funding. Under this approach the same multi-criteria framework is to be used by local authorities and the Department to assess the merits of all local transport investment proposals.

  Small Bus Permits
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations eligible to apply for small bus permits.

  Mr. Key
  An application for a small bus permit may be made by any body concerned with education, religion, recreation or social welfare or other activities of benefit to
  669
  the community, provided that the use of a vehicle under a permit meets the requirements of section 19 of the Transport Act 1985. The Secretary of State has designated certain bodies to grant permits to themselves or their local organisations and these are listed in SI 1987 No. 1229—the section 19 Minibus (Designated Bodies) Order 1987—and the amendment to that order, SI 1990 No. 1708.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many small bus permits were issued in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Key
  The number of small bus permits issued in each of the last five years is given in the table:

  Year

  Number of permits

  1989

  4,800

  1990

  6,230

  1991

  7,275

  1992

  5,780

  1993

  4,775

  Cycling Policy
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on cycling policy during National Bike Week.

  Mr. Key
  I have today released a new statement of our cycling policy which has been developed in consultation with other Government Departments. In it the Government recognise the need for us as a nation to take full account of the benefits which cycling offers.

  A change of perceptions is needed. More local authorities should consider cycling from the outset in planning and traffic management. Secure cycle parking should be more widely available near offices, shopping centres and public transport stations. Employers should make available cycle parking, and changing and showering facilities. Cycling should be more widely seen as a sensible means of transport, offering a realistic alternative to the car for local journeys.

  We intend to work with other organisations to create the conditions in which more people will choose to cycle.

  Copies of the statement have been placed in the Library, and are being sent to all local authorities.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Rough Sleepers and Beggars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. Eggar
  If members of the public are found to be blocking emergency exits or their activities restrict access to departmental buildings, the security guards ask them to move. If any problems arise the police are called. My Department does not keep a separate record of incidents relating to beggars or people sleeping rough.

  United Kingdom Energy Authority
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's nuclear decommissioning liabilities.

  Mr. Eggar
  When the UKAEA last estimated its decommissioning liabilities in 1990 the estimate was of the order of £3 billion to £4 billion, undiscounted, including liabilities for fuels and wastes. This estimate was based largely on preliminary technical assessments. The estimate has now been updated by a much more detailed and systematic review which started several years ago and which has looked individually at each of the UKAEA's many facilities.

  The UKAEA's new central estimate of the cost of decommissioning facilities on its own sites is £6 billion. It also has estimated liabilities of £2 billion for fuels and wastes, and for decommissioning and waste management on BNFL sites—therefore, a total liability of £8 billion. These estimates are undiscounted, in 1993–94 prices. Discounted at 2 per cent. for comparison with figures published by other nuclear businesses, the total estimated cost is £5 billion.

  The increase reflects the more systematic review, together with the inclusion in the new estimate of the costs of infrastructure, of care and maintenance where final decommissioning is deferred, and of programme management and supporting research.

  Most of the expenditure will not arise until well into the future, with final decommissioning of some facilities taking place in the middle of next century or even later. Because of the unique nature of many of the UKAEA's individual facilities, the cost estimate remains subject to considerable uncertainty. The UKAEA believes that around its total central estimate of £8 billion, the total cost could lie in the range £6 billion to £12 billion.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which companies have been disallowed from bidding for British Coal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The identify of those parties which have, or have not, pre-qualified for the sales process of British Coal Corporation is commercially confidential. A statement will not be made.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Rough Sleepers and Beggars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. Sproat
  My Department has not issued any instructions to its security staff for dealing with those sleeping rough in doorways or beggars. Security guards are instructed to keep all exits clear in case of fire. The Department has not experienced any problems with rough sleepers or beggars.

ENVIRONMENT

  Residential Homes (Heating)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Environment what minimum standards for heating residential accommodation are issued which must be adhered to by local authorities, housing associations and private developers.

  Mr. Baldry
  When new residential accommodation is constructed in England and Wales, local authorities, housing associations and private developers are required to comply with the building regulations. The regulations contain no specific minimum standards for heating, but part L of those regulations sets requirements for the conservation of fuel and power which include provisions for insulation of the building elements and adequate heating controls. The Government are proposing to lay before Parliament shortly revised regulations which strengthen the requirements of part L.

  Safeway Superstore, Hailsham
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the result of the public inquiry into the application by Safeway to build an edge-of-town superstore in Hailsham, Sussex.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is hoped to issue the decision shortly.

  Environment Council
  Sir Kenneth Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 8 and 9 June.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 8 and 9 June. The Council reached a common position on the draft directive on the landfill of waste by a majority vote with Belgium and France voting against. The agreed text is considerably more flexible than the original Commission proposal and is in line with the United Kingdom's position on subsidiarity. It would allow us to continue to operate our waste disposal sites where we mix domestic waste with other wastes, as long as we maintain stringent controls and monitoring.

  The Council discussed climate change issues, including the Commission's proposed carbon/energy tax. The Council agreed to renew the mandate of the working group established at the last Environment Council and requested the group to report to the next ECOFIN and Environment Councils. Council conclusions were also agreed on the Commission White Paper on "Growth, Competitiveness and Employment", focusing on the environmental aspects of trans-European networks and an approach to sustainable economic development which respected environmental needs. The Council had a wide-ranging discussion on points arising from the May session of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development and considered various ways to enhance its next session.

  A common position was agreed unanimously on the proposed regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer, based on the text which had been agreed politically last December. The Council also agreed the arrangements for the signature by the Community of the sulphur dioxide protocol. The Council noted progress on the proposed
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  directive on integrated pollution control. My proposal for a Council statement condemning the illegal trade in tiger and rhinoceros products was agreed unanimously.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Arable Area Aid Scheme
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received on discrepancy of treatment of English and Welsh farmers under the arable area aid scheme; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Since the beginning of the year my right hon. Friend has received 12 representations on Welsh regionalisation arrangements from Members of the House and from farming organisations. These have suggested that area payments to Welsh arable farmers should be at the same level as those to English farmers. Arable area payments are based on historic average cereal yields, as required by EC legislation, and these are lower in Wales than in England.

  Phosphates
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy on the planned restrictions on naturally occurring phosphates in wholemeal flour and milk products contained in the proposed EC directive on food additives.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government share industry's concerns that the current text of the proposed directive on food additives other than colours and sweeteners does not take proper account of the fact that phosphates occur naturally in many foods, including flour and milk. We have therefore been pressing for an amendment to the text. The EC Council of Ministers and the European Commission have agreed to find a solution to this problem before the directive is implemented.

  Milk Marketing
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions she has had with the Dairy Trade Federation on the timetable for the implementation of the new milk marketing scheme; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The Dairy Trade Federation raised the issue of the timing of the end of the milk marketing scheme when my right hon. Friend the Minister met them on 23 May.

  My right hon. Friend has announced her and the Secretary of State for Wales's decision to approve the milk marketing board's reorganisation scheme with modifications. Under the approved scheme vesting day will be 1 November 1994.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the agricultural land area(a) inside and (b) outside the less-favoured areas in England is rented.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that the information is not available.
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  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average age of farmers is in(a) the English less-favoured areas and (b) the equivalent of the less-favoured areas in each EC member state.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The farm structure survey contains information on the age of the holder of the farm by age band. The table provides estimates of the average age of holder based on analysis of this age band data for farms which are classified as being wholly or mainly in the less favoured areas.

  Estimated average age of holder of farms wholly or mainly in the less-favoured areas in 19871

  Member state

  Estimated average age of holder

  Belgium

  50

  Germany

  48

  Greece

  56

  Spain

  56

  France

  52

  Ireland

  54

  Italy

  56

  Luxembourg

  51

  Portugal

  57

  United Kingdom (1990)

  53

  England (1990)

  52

  1 The holder of the farm is the person legally or economically responsible for the holding.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the ratio of tenant farmers to owner-occupier farmers(a) inside and (b) outside the English less-favoured areas.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The table shows the proportion of holdings in England which are wholly owner occupied, rented or are partly owner and partly rented for those holdings which are wholly or mainly in the less favoured area or wholly or mainly outside the LFA.

  Proportion of holdings in England by type of tenure

  Wholly owner occupied Percentage

  Wholly rented Percentage

  Part owned and part rented Percentage

  Holdings wholly or mainly in the LFA

  60.3

  18.1

  21.6

  Holdings wholly or mainly outside the LFA

  63.7

  15.6

  20.7

  Overseas Exhibitions
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many visits to overseas exhibitions have been undertaken by Ministers in her Department so far this year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  MAFF Ministers have this year undertaken visits to the ISM sweets and biscuits fair in Cologne; the Salon International de 1'Agriculture in Paris; and the Agro-Expo exhibition in Beijing.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iran
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have, and when, with his partners in the European Union and the United Nations on steps to combat Iranian terrorism.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 24 May, column 112.

  Identity Badges
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for all British and locally employed staff at British posts overseas who come into contact with the public to wear identity badges.

  Mr. Goodlad
  With effect from 1 January 1993, British posts overseas were instructed to ensure that, unless there are local security considerations—for example, for entry clearance officers—all staff who come into contact with the public identify themselves.

  Mrs. Noor Johan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is to be taken on the application made to the United Kingdom post in Islamabad by Mrs. Noor Jahan, DOB: 1966; Ref: C1573 and her children to enter the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the absence of any information in London about applications from Mrs. Noor Jahan and her children, I have asked the entry clearance officer at the high commission in Islamabad to let me have a report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  Giles Chichester and Michael Rogers
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the status and function of(a) Mr. Giles Chichester and (b) Mr. Michael Rogers in July 1993; what was the purpose of their visit by the United Kingdom mission in Geneva in July 1993; which officials they met; how many pages of cables, facsimile messages or reports he received from the United Kingdom mission in Geneva in relation to the visit; and if he will place those documents in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department has no record of a visit by either man to the United Kingdom's mission in Geneva in July 1993 or at any other time.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which missions, other than those of the United Kingdom, were visited in Geneva in July 1993 by Mr. Giles Chichester; what was the purpose of the visits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department has no record of a visit by a Mr. Giles Chichester to any mission in Geneva, including the United Kingdom's, in July 1993 or at any other time.

  Uganda
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Uganda about the present circumstances of Richard Mukasa, recently in Campsfield house, Kidlington.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no information about Mr. Mukasa's circumstances.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Rough Sleepers and Beggars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the security of the building occupied by the Northern Ireland Office in London lies with the major occupier, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Dentistry
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for a review of orthodontic services in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no plans, at present, to undertake a specific review of orthodontic services. The Department of Health and Social Services has however recently commissioned an oral health review group to carry out an analysis of oral health in Northern Ireland, and to make recommendations for improvement. These recommendations will take account of orthodontic needs.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many clients were registered in Northern Ireland with general dental practitioners in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Ancram
  The registration of patients with general dental practitioners was introduced in October 1990. The registration details from October 1990 onwards are set out in the table.

  Year

  Number of patients
  registered

  1990

  198,585

  1991

  788,496

  1992

  976,312

  1993

  1,010,180

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients are waiting for orthodontic treatment in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  Information on the total number of people waiting for orthodontic treatment in Northern Ireland is not held centrally.
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  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general dental practitioners in Northern Ireland received remuneration for NHS treatments in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is set out as follows:

  Year

  Number of dentists

  1983

  377

  1984

  393

  1985

  421

  1986

  428

  1987

  438

  1988

  461

  1989

  483

  1990

  519

  1991

  517

  1992

  525

  1993

  551

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general dental practitioners in Northern Ireland were registered with the Dental Practice Board in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Ancram
  The equivalent body in Northern Ireland is the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency. The information requested is set out in the table:

  Number of dentists on dental list at 1 July

  Year

  Number

  1983

  360

  1984

  379

  1985

  397

  1986

  414

  1987

  424

  1988

  447

  1989

  467

  1990

  491

  1991

  517

  1992

  525

  1993

  541

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of individuals who received private orthodontic treatments in Northern Ireland during the period from 1983 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  Information on private treatment is not held centrally and it is impossible to give a realistic estimate.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general dental practitioners qualified and took up national health service practice in Northern Ireland in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the number of dentists joining the dental list in Northern Ireland in each year since 1983 is set out in the table:

  Year

  Number of dentists joining dental list

  1983

  32

  1984

  33

  1985

  44

  677

  Year

  Number of dentists joining dental list

  1986

  30

  1987

  36

  1988

  46

  1989

  46

  1990

  77

  1991

  37

  1992

  51

  1993

  58

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dental de-registrations there were in Northern Ireland in the period 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  The registration of patients with general dental practitioners was introduced in October 1990. Since then a total of 2,340 patients have been de-registered.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS episodes of orthodontic treatment there were for Northern Ireland for the period 1983 to 1993; and what was the cost of NHS orthodontic treatment for Northern Ireland for the same period.

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of courses of orthodontic treatment in Northern Ireland from 1983 to 1993 is set out in the table. Information is not available for 1991 and 1992. Information on the cost of orthodontic treatment is not available prior to 1993. For 1993, the cost was £1,686,393.

  Number of courses of orthodontic treatment

  Year

  Number

  1983

  13,380

  1984

  10,562

  1985

  9,671

  1986

  11,667

  1987

  5,842

  1988

  19,391

  1989

  22,692

  1990

  25,365

  19911

  n/a

  19921

  n/a

  1993

  17,464

  1 Due to technical difficulties in dental information system, figures are not available for these years.

  Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what capital charges were levied on each regional adolescent psychiatric unit in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no regional adolescent psychiatric units within Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many beds designated specifically for adolescent psychiatry there were in Northern Ireland in each year since 1979 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. Ancram
  In Northern Ireland in each year since 1981 to December 1993 the average number of available 678
  beds in the child and adolescent psychiatry speciality has been 20. Information on the child and adolescent psychiatry speciality was not collected separately prior to 1981.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children and teenagers suffering from serious mental illnesses were admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Northern Ireland in the period 1979 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not available in the form requested. The table provides information on the total number of children and teenagers with one or more admissions to mental illness hospitals/psychiatric units in Northern Ireland between 19891 and 1993.

  Admissions of Children/Teenagers to Mental Illness Hospitals/Psychiatric Units in Northern Ireland

  Year

  Number

  11989–90

  144

  1990–91

  128

  1991–92

  143

  1992–93

  177

  1 Data prior to 1989–90 is unavailable.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the referral pattern for adolescent psychiatric services for Northern Ireland; and what was the regional breakdown of contractual referral for each health board for the period 1979 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  The table shows the pattern of out-patient referral attendances in the child and adolescent psychiatric specialty in Northern Ireland since 1981.

  Hospitals located within health and social services boards

  Year

  Eastern

  Northern

  Southern

  Western

  Northern Ireland

  1981 1

  778

  8

  32

  12

  830

  1982

  937

  6

  35

  2

  980

  1983

  1,102

  12

  44

  8

  1,166

  1984

  1,024

  11

  37

  2

  1,074

  1985

  1,129

  5

  42

  10

  1,186

  1986

  1,059

  8

  22

  4

  1,093

  1987

  1,138

  4

  22

  4

  1,168

  1988–892

  498

  —

  32

  —

  530

  1989–902

  1,332

  —

  768

  —

  2,100

  1990–91

  886

  147

  469

  —

  1,502

  1991–92

  897

  112

  280

  —

  1,289

  1992–93

  999

  138

  302

  —

  1,439

  1 Information on the child and adolescent psychiatric speciality was not collected separately prior to 1981.

  2 The data quality is not reliable for these years.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the most common forms of mental illness for children and teenagers; and what was their incidence in Northern Ireland in the period 1979 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  The table shows the six most common diagnoses for children and teenagers and the numbers discharged from mental illness hospitals/psychiatric units with these diagnoses during the period 1989 to 19931. Information on the incidence of these conditions is not available.
  679

  Diagnosis

  1 1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Neurotic Psychosis (eg phobias)

  88

  85

  85

  105

  Other Symptoms and Syndromes (eg anorexia, bedwetting, tics)

  54

  49

  46

  46

  Adjustment Reaction (eg stress related depression)

  26

  41

  41

  46

  Personality Disorders

  38

  46

  26

  34

  Acute Stress Reaction

  34

  42

  39

  34

  Schizophrenic Psychoses

  43

  34

  35

  26

  1 1989–90 is the earliest date from which the information is available.

  Forensic Psychiatry
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing and para-medical staff in Northern Ireland are qualified in forensic psychiatry and working in(a) high security units and (b) admission wards in psychiatric hospitals mental health trusts.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no high security units or mental health trusts in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many forensic psychiatric patients have been treated in Northern Ireland in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is not available.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many doctors are trained each year in forensic psychiatry; and how many qualified in forensic psychiatry are practising in the NHS in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  During the period of higher specialist training, every junior doctor in psychiatry gets some training in forensic psychiatry and most undertake a six month period of training specifically in the sub-speciality. This enables all consultants to deal with routine forensic psychiatric cases which they may encounter in their day-to-day practice.

  There is one consultant forensic psychiatrist currently working 70 per cent. of his time in the Prison Service and 30 per cent. in one of the health and social services boards. A second consultant forensic psychiatrist will be working 50 per cent. in the Prison Service and 50 per cent. in another health and social services board.

  The intention is that each board will have a pool of knowledge so that all psychiatric patients who come before the courts will have access to forensic psychiatry.

  Deaf People
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many extra-contractual referrals for individuals requiring specialist psychiatric services for deaf people were made in Northern Ireland in 1993–94.

  Mr. Ancram
  None. Until April 1994 such services were designated as supra-regional and no charge was made.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the national referral patterns and regional referral patterns for all units providing psychiatric services for deaf people in Northern Ireland in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Ancram
  Separate statistics to show the numbers of people referred for psychiatric services in Northern Ireland who are deaf are not routinely collected. Referral patterns cannot therefore be established.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the NHS ambulance services in Northern Ireland which have contracts with private sector health care providers.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Eastern ambulance service HSS trust has just agreed a contract with a private clinic. The other three ambulance services in Northern Ireland have no contracts with the private health care sector.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many private patient journeys were undertaken by NHS patients in Northern Ireland for journeys to and from(a) nursing homes and (b) private hospitals in the period from 1985 to 1993; what ambulance charges were levied on these NHS patients and what was the total money earned from these charges for the same period.

  Mr. Ancram
  Whilst this information is not available in the format requested over the period 1987–88 to 1993–94 a total of 148 patient journeys were charged for. It is not possible to identify the numbers of private patient journeys undertaken to and from nursing homes and private hospitals. Consequently the charges levied and the total money earned is not available.

  Information was not collected prior to 1987–88.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many private ambulance contracts there were for Northern Ireland in the period 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  Over the period 1985 to 1993 no private ambulance contracts were in place in Northern Ireland.

  Psychiatric Patients
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many psychiatric patients have been contracted out for treatment to the private sector in Northern Ireland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many high security psychiatric patients were admitted to psychiatric wards in non high secure units in Northern Ireland for the period from 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  None. Psychiatric patients who require treatment in high security hospitals are transferred to special hospitals in Scotland and England. Sixteen patients from Northern Ireland were admitted to special hospitals in Scotland and England in the period 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing and para-medical staff
  681
  working in psychiatric wards in mental health trust hospitals in Northern Ireland have sustained non-accidental injuries from patients in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is not collected centrally.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications to the Independent Living (1993) Fund have been accepted.

  Mr. Scott
  I am informed by the Director of the Independent Living (1993) Fund that, as at 14 June, 585 applications to the fund have been accepted.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy for dealing with correspondence from right hon. and hon. Members regarding the Child Support Agency; what percentage of letters from right hon. and hon. Members he transferred for reply to the chief executive and other officials of the agency; what criteria he applies when deciding which letters are transferred and which warrant a ministerial reply; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  In the nine months from September 1993 to May 1994, of a total of 6,894 letters from right hon. and hon. Members on child support matters, 24 per cent. were referred for reply to the chief executive of the Child Support Agency. The criteria for selection of such letters has not changed since the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 9 February at column 365.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many letters he receives on average each month from right hon. and hon. Members relating to the operation of the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  The number of letters received each month since September 1993 is in the table. The numbers have varied considerably from month to month.

  Number

  September 1993

  179

  October 1993

  534

  November 1993

  1,173

  December 1993

  846

  January 1994

  972

  February 1994

  1,072

  March 1994

  899

  April 1994

  692

  May 1994

  706

  Total

  6,894

  Social Fund
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims were made for assistance from the social fund in the last year for which figures are available; how many were accepted and how many were refused.
  682
  Mr. Scott
  Information for 1993–94 is in the table.

  Number

  Applications

  4,039,357

  Awards

  2,146,714

  Refusals

  1,705,834

  The number of awards and refusals is less than the number of applications because of applications which were withdrawn by applicants; applications which had not been decided at the time of the count; and applications where the applicant did not subsequently respond.

  The figures do not include social fund cold weather payments as these are made automatically to those people who qualify.

  Public Expenditure
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answers of 20 May,Official Report, column 582, if he will publish a table setting out the principal components of (a) the £568 million spring supplementary estimate affecting cyclical social security spending, (b) the £274 million spring supplementary estimate affecting social security spending falling within the new control total and (c) the late-year reapportionment of social security spending from cyclical to new control total components; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The principal components of the spring supplementary estimates for class XII, votes 1, 2 and 4 were presented and published on 15 February, reference HC199. This document is available in the Library.

  The apportionment of expenditure between cyclical and new control total is statistically determined and develops progressively over the accounting period. Hence the apportionment of the outturn expenditure is not yet finalised. We currently anticipate a switch of around £200 million from cyclical to new control total expenditure.

  Housing Benefit
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions about the real value of housing benefit and eligibility for housing benefit underlie the present public expenditure plans; and what plans he has to amend the assumptions as a result of the public expenditure review conducted within the Department of Social Security.

  Mr. Hague
  The assumptions which have been used to forecast housing benefit expenditure are set out in paragraphs 70 to 80 of the 1994 Social Security departmental report "The Government's expenditure plans 1994–95 to 1996–97". We have assumed that housing benefit will be uprated in April 1995 by 3.25 per cent. and in April 1996 by 3 per cent. the assumed values of the adjusted version of the retail prices index excluding housing costs; see paragraphs 61 and 74 of the report. The assumptions for real rent increases are given in paragraph 78 of the report—private rents increasing by 6.5 per cent. and local authority rent by 5 per cent., both in real terms. The forecasts have used the current rules for eligibility and include all changes to the eligibility rules announced last year. Future expenditure plans will be examined in the light of any changes arising out of the present review of housing benefit.

HEALTH

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed as having AIDS dementia.

  Mr. Sackville
  Up to the end of March 1994, 410 of a cumulative total of 9,025 AIDS cases reported in the United Kingdom had HIV encephalopathy at the time of their diagnosis. This may not have been the sole AIDS defining illness present at the time the case was reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre. An unknown number of persons diagnosed with AIDS go on to develop HIV encephalopathy at a later stage. The number of such cases would not be known to CDSC since reports give only those AIDS indicator diseases present at the time of the AIDS diagnosis.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bedspaces for people with AIDS there are currently(a) in London and (b) nationally for (i) respite care, (ii) residential care, (iii) nursing care, (iv) terminal care and (v) AIDS dementia care.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available centrally.

  Details of facilities for people with AIDS are contained in regions' AIDS (Control) Act reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Additionally, the 1994 directory of hospice and palliative care services, compiled by the hospice information service and published by the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund, lists all available hospice and palliative care services in the United Kingdom. A number of these facilities now cater for people with AIDS-related illness and some have been established specifically for them. A copy of the directory is available in the Library.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bed spaces for people with AIDS are being developed(a) in London and (b) nationally for (i) respite care, (ii) residential care, (iii) nursing care, (iv) terminal care and (v) AIDS dementia; and what other services are currently available for people with AIDS dementia.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information in the form requested is not available centrally.

  Regional and district health authorities plan all their services for people with HIV/AIDS in the light of identified need.

  The Department is currently funding a research project to identify the extent of need for services for people with AIDS dementia in the Thames area. The research findings are due to be reported early in 1995.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training services are being provided for staff working with people with AIDS dementia, and by whom.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department makes available topsliced funding for HIV/AIDS prevention—£49.2 million in 1994–95—which includes provision for the training of a wide range of staff in the care of people with HIV disease.

  English National Board course 280 includes training for nurses on identification and responses to the psychiatric
  684
  needs of people with HIV. The Bethlem royal hospital and the Maudsley hospital have developed a national course specifically for nurses working with people with AIDS dementia. The course was developed with Department of Health support and students from throughout the United Kingdom have attended. The educational pack on HIV for doctors, funded by the Department, contains a module on the needs of a person with AIDS-related psychiatric conditions.

  Health Authority Expenditure
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the per capita spending figures are for each regional health authority, district health authority and family health services authority for 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not yet available.

  Morning-after Pill
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about the likely incidence of complications and death arising from the use of the morning-after pill; what plans she has to allow such pills to be available over the counter rather than on prescription; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The emergency contraception pill is a combined oral contraceptive which contains higher doses of hormones than many oral contraceptive pills. It is used for only a short duration of time and doctors are advised not to prescribe it to women who may be at risk of thromboembolic disorders. No reports of deaths associated with the use of this product have been received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and information on precautions and side-effects is contained in the product particulars authorised by the Medicines Control Agency.

  Applications for medicinal products to be reclassified to allow supply without prescription are normally made to the Medicines Control Agency by the company holding the licence for that product. Any change would be subject to advice from the relevant Medicines Act committee and the results of statutory consultation with all interested organisations.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the NHS ambulance services which have contracts with private sector health care providers;

  (2) how many private ambulance contracts there were in the period 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private patient journeys were undertaken by NHS patients in England and Wales for journeys to and from(a) nursing homes and (b) private hospitals in the period from 1985 to 1993; what ambulance charges were levied on these NHS patients; and what was the total money earned from these charges for the same period.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available centrally.

  Dentistry
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general dental practitioners qualified and took up NHS practice in each year since 1983.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is shown in the table. In 1983, the report of the departmental study group on dental manpower recommended a reduction in undergraduate intake to dental schools and in 1987 a similar study recommended further manpower reductions.

  Number of students obtaining first qualification (United Kingdom)

  Year

  Number1

  1982–83

  777

  1983–84

  786

  1984–85

  787

  1985–86

  728

  1986–87

  791

  1987–88

  750

  1988–89

  717

  1989–90

  695

  1990–91

  700

  1991–92

  643

  1992–93

  673

  Source: University Funding Council.

  1 Students normally resident in Great Britain.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national guidelines exist for the assessment of orthodontic treatment need.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  An index of treatment need can be used by orthodontic specialists.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many general dental practitioners were registered with the Dental Practice Board in each year since 1983;

  (2) how many general dental practitioners received remuneration for NHS treatments in each year since 1983.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is shown in the table.

  General Dental Services Number of general dental practitioners under contract to a family health services authority as at 30 September England

  Year

  Total12

  1983

  13,672

  1984

  14,066

  1985

  14,334

  1986

  14,516

  1987

  14,765

  1988

  15,070

  1989

  15,351

  1990

  15,480

  1991

  15,451

  1992

  15,411

  1993

  15,773

  Source: Dental Practice Board.

  1 Includes principals, assistants and vocational trainees.

  2 Some dentists have contracts with more than one family health services authority.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her estimate of the number of individuals who received private orthodontic treatments in England and Wales during the period from 1983 to 1993;
  686
  (2) what plans she has for review of orthodontic services.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are no plans for a central review of orthodontic services specifically. However, the system of dental remuneration is currently under review, following consultation on the Bloomfield report.

  We do not collect information on orthodontic treatment in the private sector.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting for orthodontic treatment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Such information as is available is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Forensic Psychiatry
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors are trained each year in forensic psychiatry; and how many qualified in forensic psychiatry are practising in the national health service.

  Mr. Bowis
  The total number of senior registrars and registrars training in forensic psychiatry as at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, in England was 40. Approximately one quarter of these will complete training each year. The number of consultants qualified in forensic psychiatry at that time and practising in the national health service in England was 80.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many forensic psychiatric patients have been treated in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Bowis
  Figures on finished consultant episodes relating to forensic psychiatry between 1988–1989 and 1991–92 for England are shown in the table. Comparable data for the years prior to 1988–89 are not available. These figures exclude patients treated in special hospitals and out-patients.

  Forensic psychiatry (England—excluding special hospitals) Number of finished consultant episodes

  Year

  Number

  1988–89

  933

  1989–90

  1,020

  1990–91

  1,106

  1991–92

  1,458

  Information about patients treated in special hospitals is not collected in the same form. The numbers of discharges, including deaths, from special hospitals in each year since 1985 were:

  Year

  Number

  1985

  234

  1986

  154

  1987

  175

  1988

  196

  1989

  212

  1990

  209

  1991

  189

  1992

  220

  1993

  264

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing and para-medical staff are
  687
  qualified in forensic psychiatry and working in (a) high security units and (b) admission wards in psychiatric hospitals mental health trusts.

  Mr. Bowis
  There is no specific qualification in forensic psychiatry for nursing and paramedical ward staff.

  Psychiatric Patients
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric patients have been contracted out for treatment to the private sector in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Bowis
  This is a matter for each health authority.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is normal practice for a psychiatric patient who is admitted to a ward and then subsequently transferred to another ward to be registered in both wards.

  Mr. Bowis
  No.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances it is the practice for newly admitted psychiatric patients to be admitted into the vacant beds of other psychiatric patients who are away or on leave for the weekend from their registered hospital.

  Mr. Bowis
  Patients would be admitted in this way only if there were no other beds available in the hospital and when, in the clinical judgment of the consultant in consultation with the nurse in charge of the relevant ward, such action was appropriate.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing and para-medical staff working in psychiatric wards in mental health trust hospitals have sustained non-accidental injuries from patients in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information will be held by individual hospitals and trusts.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is normal practice to register the re-admission of a psychiatric patient on return to their mental health unit from a general hospital on receiving treatment for a physical condition.

  Mr. Bowis
  Transfers between psychiatric and other units are recorded on the clinical notes, with registration taking place at the first admission to the psychiatric unit.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many high security psychiatric patients were admitted to psychiatric wards in non-high secure units in England and Wales in the period from 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Bowis
  The assessment of whether a patient requires treatment in conditions of high security is made by an admissions panel at each of the three special hospitals. All patients assessed as requiring such treatment are admitted to the special hospital.

  Deaf People
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the national referral patterns and regional referral patterns for all units providing psychiatric services for deaf people in each year since 1987.
  688
  Mr. Bowis
  Referrals to units providing psychiatric services for deaf people are made by general practitioners and other professionals and are funded by district health authorities. They will hold their respective records on referrals.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra-contractual referrals for individuals requiring specialist psychiatric services for deaf people were made in 1993–94.

  Mr. Bowis
  A total of 2,776 occupied bed days and 143 day care sessions in 1993–94.

  Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the national referral pattern for adolescent psychiatric services; and what was the regional breakdown of contractual referrals for each health region for the period 1979 to 1993.

  Mr. Bowis
  Adolescent psychiatric services take place in a variety of settings from primary health care to highly specialised units. Most adolescents are seen by a multi-disciplinary team in a clinic or unit with only a very small minority being referred for specialist in-patient care.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the most common forms of mental illness for children and teenagers; and what was their incidence in the period 1979 to 1993.

  Mr. Bowis
  There are a wide range of mental health disorders with varying degrees of prevalence of which most are conduct and emotional disorders. Their prevalence range from 7 to 21 per cent. depending on such factors as the age of the child and whether the child is living in an urban or rural setting.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital charges were levied on each regional adolescent psychiatric unit in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  Estimates of the level of capital charges which will be included in contract prices are collected in respect of individual trusts and authorities. This information is provided as an estimate for the trust or authority as a whole and is not broken down to reflect the amount of charge that will be recovered through the provision of any particular service that the trust or authority may provide.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds designated specifically for adolescent psychiatry there were in each year since 1979 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. Bowis
  Adolescent beds are not identified separately in central Government statistics.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children and teenagers suffering from serious mental illnesses were admitted to psychiatric hospitals in the period 1979 to 1993.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not collected in the form requested. Figures on finished consultant episodes and deaths and discharges relating to child and adolescent psychiatry for England are shown in the table for the years for which figures are available.
  689

  Child and adolescent psychiatry (England)

  Number

  Discharges and Deaths1

  1979

  2,463

  1980

  2,589

  1981

  2,766

  1982

  2,517

  1983

  2,668

  1984

  2,659

  1985

  2,704

  1986

  2,448

  Finished Consultant Episodes1

  1988–89

  3,344

  1989–90

  2,819

  1990–91

  2,791

  1991–92

  2,542

  1 The figures for the number of discharges and deaths are not directly comparable with those for the number of finished consultant episodes.

  Administrative Staff
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of managers and clerical and administrative staff employed by each regional health authority in 1993–94.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 May at column 219.

  Radiotherapy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will set up specialist centres to look at all aspects of radiotherapy injuries; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if she will meet members of the Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure; and if she will make a statement;

  (3) what action she has taken to ensure that radiotherapy in the NHS is properly supervised; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am very concerned that patients receiving radiotherapy should have confidence in their treatment. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Baroness Cumberlege, has met recently representatives from Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure, together with Government's Chief Medical Officer, to discuss how best to consider their concerns. We are also working closely with the Royal College of Radiologists. We have agreed to establish a

  Remand Centres in Wessex and Wales and the West: 14 June 1994

  Establishment

  CNA

  Operational Capacity

  Population

  Percentage/CNA

  Percentage/Operational Capacity

  Cardiff RC

  81

  110

  104

  128

  95

  Dorchester RC

  20

  30

  29

  145

  97

  Exeter RC

  51

  69

  51

  100

  74

  Gloucester RC

  81

  78

  96

  96

  Police Cells
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in police cells in each police force area in England at the latest date for 690
  group of professionals and lay people to consider guidelines for the care of those who have suffered tissue damage following radiotherapy for breast cancer.

  In 1991, the Department issued guidance entitled "Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy" which set out 18 requirements to be maintained to ensure quality in radiotherapy treatment. This guidance has been considered in two radiotherapy centres and the results set out in the document "Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy—A Quality Management System for Radiotherapy", which has recently been widely circulated. Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made as to the adequacy of provision of suitable accommodation for young offenders being held on remand in the west country;

  (2) if he will construct a table showing the number of places available for young offenders on remand in the west country in each relevant institution.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Maclennan, dated 17 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about accommodation for young offenders on remand in the West Country. The information given relates to the two Prison Service areas of Wessex & Wales and the West.
  Most young offenders on remand are held in specially designated remand centres. Those in the West Country are listed in the attached table, which shows for each of them its certified normal accommodation (CNA), operational capacity, population, population as a percentage of CNA and population as a percentage of operational capacity, for Tuesday 14 June 1994. Her Majesty's Remand Centre Swansea is currently closed for refurbishment.
  Young offenders on remand can also be held at the following local prisons: Exeter; Gloucester; Pucklechurch (for female prisoners); and, exceptionally, Cardiff and Dorchester. On occasions, a small number of young remand prisoners may be held at Portland, which operates normally as a young offender institution (that is, for sentenced young offenders). The accommodation at these establishments is not separately designated for adults and young offenders.

  which figures are available (a) on remand in custody awaiting trial, (b) on remand in custody awaiting sentence and (c) having been tried and released.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  691
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Peter Pike, dated 17 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the numbers of prisoners held in police cells, sub-divided into remands awaiting trial, remands awaiting sentence and those tried and released.
  The only sub-division possible from information available centrally is between remands and convicted. As at 13 June, on this basis, the position was as follows:

  Police Force

  Remands

  Convicted

  Total

  Greater Manchester

  99

  21

  120

  South Yorkshire

  0

  1

  1

  Totals:

  99

  22

  121

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement concerning the cost of implementing the proposed European Commission directive on data protection; and if he will place background material or submissions from data user organisations in the Library;

  (2) if he will make a statement concerning the costs of implementing the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A recent survey, involving returns on behalf of some 625 organisations in the United Kingdom, suggested that the cost of implementing the directive in its present form within those organisations could come to some £2.24 billion, with annual costs thereafter of some £308 million. The organisations represented in the survey were only a small proportion of all users of personal data in the United Kingdom, so the total United Kingdom costs could be very considerably higher. No figures are available of the total costs to data users of the current data protection legislation: the survey suggested that the current annual cost for the organisations represented is some £13 million.

  I am placing the paper showing the results of the survey in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has plans to amend the Data Protection Act 1984 to reduce the bureaucratic burden associated with registration; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what effect his initiative in relation to reducing the burden of bureaucracy will have on the operating of the Data Protection Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The deregulation task force recommended that the data protection regime should be simplified. No action on this can usefully be taken, however, until the outcome of negotiations on the EC data protection directive is known. In its present form, the draft directive would impose additional burdens on data users, and the United Kingdom has been arguing for significant improvements to the text.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement in relation to progress being made towards agreement on the proposed European Commission directive on data protection; and if he will outline the areas where there is still disagreement between member states.
  692
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Council working party has now concluded its second reading of the revised text of the draft directive, and a report has been submitted to the Council of Ministers. It is not the practice during negotiations to disclose the extent of agreement or disagreement on any particular issue. Some progress has been made, but the range of views expressed continues to be very wide.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the measures in force to prevent the disclosure of private information being gained by misrepresentation;

  (2) for the Home Department what proposals he has in respect of the buying and selling of information that is being gained illegally from computer databases.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Data Protection Act 1984 requires users of computerised personal data to take appropriate security measures against unauthorised access to, or disclosure of, the data. In addition, it is an offence under the act knowingly or recklessly to disclose data otherwise than in accordance with the relevant entry in the register of data users held by the Data Protection Registrar.

  There may, however, be a small lacuna in the law in respect of third parties who secure the disclosure of information by deception. For this reason, the Government intend to make it an offence to procure the disclosure of data in circumstances not covered by the register entry of the data user concerned. We believe the problem is best dealt with at the point where the data are obtained, rather than at the subsequent stage where use is made of them.

  Rights of the Child
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken by his Department in fulfilment of article 3.3 of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child adopted by the United Kingdom Government in December 1991.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Establishments in the Prison Service which have responsibilities for the care and protection of children are regularly inspected by Home Office health and safety inspectors, and by HM inspectorate of prisons. Remedial action is recommended whenever they consider these necessary standards are not met. Such recommendations are taken seriously and acted upon by the Prison Service.

  The three units for mothers and babies in prison have been inspected twice by the social services inspectorate, and new guidance on the management of the units has been issued based on their recommendations.

  A new health and safety policy unit has been set up within the directorate of health care in Prison Service headquarters, to monitor the delivery of the Prison Service health and safety policy in all establishments, and where necessary to insist upon remedial action.

  Fire Safety Legislation
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the scrutiny team's report on interdepartmental fire safety legislation; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The report of the scrutiny team was received recently by Ministers and initial consideration of its contents and associated matters has only just begun. No decision has yet been taken on publication.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many remand prisoners currently in custody awaiting trial have been categorised as category A prisoners.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Audrey Wise, dated 17 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of remand prisoners who have been categorised as category A.
  On 14 June, 136 remand prisoners in custody awaiting trial were categorised as category A.

  Campsfield House
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisation paid for the extra security, medical and other costs incurred during the hunger strike at Campsfield house in March; and what was the value of the extra costs incurred.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  These costs were met by the Home Office and amounted in March to £163,000.

  Ms Elizabeth Frimpong
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the deportation of Ms Elizabeth Frimpong to Accra, Ghana on 20 May.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Ms Frimpong was not deported. She was refused leave to enter the United Kingdom and removed in accordance with schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 at the carrying company's expense. I am therefore not aware of the cost.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were admitted as persons of independent means to the United Kingdom in each year from 1979 to 1993; of these, how many were admitted on the basis of remitting £500,000; and what character checks were made before the grant of clearance was given.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not available.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department in relation to divulging to(a) the media and (b) other third parties any information concerning applications in the United Kingdom for political asylum; and what assessment he has made of whether his Department's policy was properly observed in the case of Ms Tamara Norashkaryan.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It remains the normal policy not to divulge to any third party, including the media, the fact that an individual has applied for asylum or has been granted or refused asylum. However, where an applicant 694
  chooses for their own reasons to publicise details of their application, the nature of the consideration, or any decision made in respect of it, we reserve the right to comment publicly on their statements, if appropriate. I am satisfied that this policy is properly observed.

  "Travel Information Manual"
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice and assistance has been offered by his officials to those who compile the "Travel Information Manual" used by British Airways and other airlines; if he will arrange for his officials to ensure advice contained in the manual is in line with British immigration law; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Immigration and Nationality Department routinely provides the publishers of the "Travel Information Manual" with factual information about United Kingdom passport, visa and other entry clearance requirements, but has no editorial control over the way in which this information is presented.

SCOTLAND

  Sheep Premium Grants
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated number of farmers in Scotland entitled to receive sheep premium grants; how many were settled by(a) 30 April, (b) 15 May and (c) 31 May and what each of those numbers of claims represents as a percentage of the estimated number of farmers in Scotland entitled to receive those grants.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Over 23,500 Scottish sheep producers currently hold quota and, provided they met the other requirements of the 1993 sheep annual premium scheme, were eligible to receive premium under that scheme. Many farmers combine to form producer groups and the total number of 1993 claims received was 16,846. The number and percentage of those claims paid are as follows:

  Advance payment

  Final payment

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  By 30 April

  15,583

  92.5

  Nil

  —

  By 15 May

  15,657

  92.9

  15,503

  92.0

  By 31 May

  15,657

  92.9

  15,503

  92.0

DEFENCE

  Type 23 Frigate
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on whether a company linked with Tricorp International of France can take over the contract to complete the work on the final type 23 frigate at Swan Hunter, Tyneside.

  Mr. Aitken
  Negotiations on the novation of the type 23 frigate contract continue with the owners of Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie in respect of their prospective purchase of Swan Hunter Shipbuilders (in administrative receivership). These negotiations are
  695
  commercially confidential to the company, but the outcome will depend on the owners of CMN purchasing the yard, who have stated that this would be conditional upon Swan Hunter winning the current competition for the refurbishment of the landing ship logistic, RFA Sir Bedivere.

WALES

  M4
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to resurface the eastbound carriageway of the M4 between junctions 45 and 44.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A scheme is in preparation for resurfacing the Morriston bypass—junctions 44 to 46. A start is expected later this financial year.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the total mileage of the M4 in Wales is fitted with side rumble markings; and what plans he has to fit the whole of the M4 in Wales with such markings.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A total of 60 per cent. of the whole length of the M4 in Wales has side rumble markings. Rumble markings will be laid on the remainder during the next two to three years.

  Departmental Management Plan
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the Welsh Office departmental management plan.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The Welsh Office's departmental management plan is intended primarily for internal management and control purposes. Information on the Department's aims, objectives and priorities is included in the Welsh Office departmental report, which was published in March 1994.

  Rough Sleepers and Beggars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. Redwood
  None, none and none.

  Cataract Surgery
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what(a) percentage discount rates and (b) special offers have been offered by each provider NHS trust in Wales to GP fundholders who place block orders for cataract surgery; and if he will indicate the numbers of throughput thresholds at which the discount offered changes.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information of the kind requested is not held centrally. Prices charged by NHS trusts should be calculated according to the principles established by the guidance on costing for contracting, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Marine Projects
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the 36 schemes referred to in section J2(2) on page 20 of supply estimates 1994–95, class XV, Wales; and if he will indicate the rate of grant payable to each scheme.

  Mr. Redwood
  The list of schemes is set out as follows. Grant rates range between 35 per cent. and 75 per cent., but specific grant rates are available only for those schemes already approved.

  Name of Scheme

  Local Authority

  Grant Rate Per cent.

  Llandudno West Shore

  Aberconwy BC

  70

  Penrhyn Bay VO5

  Aberconwy BC

  75

  South Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth

  Ceredigion DC

  51

  Ceredigion Coastal Study

  Ceredigion DC

  55

  Borth Preliminary Study

  Ceredigion DC

  55

  Rhos on Sea/Penrhyn Bay

  Colwyn BC

  75

  Pensarn Promenade Study

  Colwyn BC

  75

  Dwyfor Coastal Study

  Dwyfor DC

  75

  Porth Neigwl Preliminary Study

  Dwyfor DC

  75

  Llanelli Beach Phase I

  Llanelli BC

  70

  Llanelli Beach Phase II

  Llanelli BC

  75

  Meirionnydd Coastal Study

  Meirionnydd DC

  65

  Aberavon Wall Phase I

  Port Talbot BC

  45

  Aberavon Sea Wall Reinstatement

  Port Talbot BC

  55

  Aberavon Wall Phase IV

  Port Talbot BC

  55

  Prestatyn Phase V

  Rhuddlan BC

  75

  Prestatyn Phase VI

  Rhuddlan BC

  75

  Prestatyn Phase VII

  Rhuddlan BC

  75

  Cemaes Bay

  Ynys Mon BC

  55

  Porth Diana

  Ynys Mon BC

  55

  Llandudno North Shore Phase I

  Aberconwy BC

  n/a

  Aberystwyth Preliminary Study

  Ceredigion DC

  n/a

  Victoria Terrace Phase I, Aberystwyth

  Ceredigion DC

  n/a

  Aberaeron Harbour Pilot Scheme

  Ceredigion DC

  n/a

  Pensarn Beach, Colwyn

  Colwyn BC

  n/a

  Kinmel Bay Model

  Colwyn BC

  n/a

  Aberdyfi Dunes

  Meirionnydd DC

  n/a

  Tywyn Sea Wall Refurbishment

  Meirionnydd DC

  n/a

  Pink Bay, Porthcawl

  Ogwr BC

  n/a

  West Drive, Porthcawl

  Ogwr BC

  n/a

  Amroth Phase I

  South Pembrokeshire DC

  n/a

  Newquay Pier

  Ceredigion DC

  n/a

  Dale

  Preseli Pembrokeshire DC

  n/a

  Newport, Parrog

  Preseli Pembrokeshire DC

  n/a

  Cwm Colhuw

  Vale of Glamorgan BC

  n/a

  Beach Renourishment

  Swansea City Council

  n/a

  Medical Consultants (Merit Awards)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a list of the members of the Health Merit Awards Committee in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Copies of the membership of both the C awards committee and the higher awards committee for Wales have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many permanent staff are employed in each of the 58 divisions indicated in figure 1.01 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97," Cm. 2515.

  Mr. Redwood
  The total number of permanent staff employed by my Department at May 1994 is 2,363.5.

  The following table shows the numbers of permanent staff in each division.

  In addition there are 45.5 senior staff and their immediate support staff and 118 staff mainly on unpaid or maternity leave who are riot assigned to a division.

  The figures do not include the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, which is a separate Government Department.

  Permanent staff by division as full time equivalents

  Numbers

  Rural Tourism and Countryside Division

  24.0

  European Affairs Division

  31.5

  Urban Affairs Division

  24.0

  Policy Review and Development Division

  12.5

  Training Education and Intelligence Unit

  12.0

  Training and Enterprise Division

  19.5

  Contract Management and Financial Control Division

  10.0

  Further and Higher Education Division

  13.0

  Industrial Development Division

  58.5

  Business Services Division

  28.5

  Industrial and Regional Policy Division

  45.5

  Grants, Subsidies and Land Division

  418.0

  Fisheries and Animal Health Division

  20.0

  Commodities and General Agricultural Policy

  17.5

  Legal Division

  55.5

  Ministers Private Offices

  29.0

  Information Division

  21.0

  Cadw: Executive Agency

  235.0

  Central and Managaement Services Division 1

  207.5

  Central and Management Services Division 2

  17.5

  Personnel Management Division

  64.5

  Statistical Directorate

  51.5

  Economic Advice Division

  6.0

  Finance Services Division

  62.0

  Finance Programmes Division

  23.5

  Finance Local Government Division

  19.0

  Trust and Service Development Division

  28.0

  Organisation Development

  25.5

  Health Finance Management Division

  24.0

  Primary Health Care Division

  25.5

  Corporate Support Unit

  3.5

  Strategic Management Division

  17.5

  Public Health and Family Division

  25.0

  Health Policy and Resources Division

  22.5

  Community Care Division

  20.0

  Social Services Inspectorate

  17.5

  Architects and Surveyors Division

  3.5

  Housing Division

  44.0

  Nursing Division

  9.0

  Environmental Health Sub Group

  3.0

  Community and Primary Health Care Services Sub Group

  22.0

  Hospital Support Division

  8.0

  Dental Division

  5.0

  Pharmaceutical Division

  3.0

  Scientific Division

  3.0

  698

  Numbers

  Network Management Division

  43.0

  Roads—North Wales

  28.5

  Roads—Construction

  25.5

  Roads Administration Division

  65.0

  Transport Policy Division

  23.5

  Planning Division

  57.0

  Estates Division

  4.5

  Environment Division

  26.5

  Local Government Reorganisation Division

  23.0

  Culture and Recreation Division

  23.5

  Schools Curriculum Division

  18.0

  Schools Administration Division

  26.0

  Departmental Circulars
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all circulars issued by his Department since 1985 on the investigation of serious untoward incidents affecting patients; and if he will place a copy of each of those circulars in the Library.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The circulars involved are "Reporting accidents with and defects in medical products, buildings and plant, and other medical and non-medical equipment and supplies"—WHC(89)26—and an addendum to this circular issued in December 1989. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House, as will the revised version currently being developed.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what issues his advisory committee for Wales on National Rivers Authority functions has considered since the publication of its second annual report in December 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The committee's third annual report has been published and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Arable Aid Scheme
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the aggregate loss of arable aid payments to farmers in less-favoured areas of Wales in 1994–95 as a result of the decision to divide Wales into two regions for arable aid on the basis of the LFA/non-LFA boundary, in comparison with what they would have received if Wales had been treated as one region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 14 June 1994]: If Wales were treated as one region in 1994–95, the total payment for cereals to Welsh farmers in the LFA would be approximately £1·5 million 1. With Wales divided into two regions on the basis of the LFA/non-LFA boundary, the total payment available to Welsh farmers in the LFA in 1994–95 will be approximately £1·1 million 1, the same as in 1993–94. It is not fair to say that farmers have lost compared with some hypothetical figure: total cereals payments in 1994–95 will actually remain the same in the LFA as they were in 1993–94.
  1 These figures assume:

  (i) That the area of land on which arable aid payments for cereals are claimed in the 1994–95 marketing year is the same as that in 1993–94;

  699

  (ii) That the proportions of LFA and non-LFA land on which claims are made in the 1994–95 marketing year remain the same as in 1993–94; and

  (iii) A green rate of £0.920969 per ecu, ie the current rate. Actual payments for the 1994–95 marketing year will depend on the green rate in force on 1 July 1994.

  Arable Aid Scheme
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the aggregate loss of arable aid payments to farmers in Wales in 1994–95 as a result of the decision to treat England and Wales as two regions for arable aid, in comparison with what they would have received if England and Wales had been treated as one region; and if he will make a statement.
  700
  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 14 June 1994]: If England and Wales were treated as one region in 1994–95 the total payment for cereals to Welsh farmers would be approximately £6.9 million1. With Wales treated separately the total payment will be approximately £5.5 million1. This compares with an actual total payment of £4.1 million last year, an increase of £1.4 million or more than one third. It is not sensible to call a comparison with some better hypothetical system a loss, when payments will go up.

  1 These figures assume that the area of land on which arable aid payments for cereals are claimed in Wales for the 1994–95 marketing year is the same as that in 1993–94 and a green rate of £0.920969 per ecu, ie the current rate. Actual payments for the 1994–95 marketing year will depend on the green rate in force on 1 July 1994.