Written Answers of 22 June 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Rough Sleepers and Beggars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. John M. Taylor
  No formal instructions are given to security staff for dealing with those sleeping rough in departmental doorways or beggars in the vicinity. It is, however, normal practice for security staff to ask those sleeping rough in departmental doorways to move at the start of the working day if they have not already done so. No problems with either category have been reported within the last three months.

  Katyn
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will now review the withholding of eight of the 762 entered papers on files FO 371/34563–90, following the information about Katyn made available by the Russian Government on 14 October 1992.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Seven papers relating to Katyn were released to the Public Record Office in 1993. These were:

  FO 371/34553 (1943)

  FO 371/34590 (1943)

  FO 371/39385 (1944)

  FO 371/39421 (1944)

  FO 371/77476 (1949)

  FO 371/77477 (1949)

  FO 371/100719 (1952)

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently reviewing all other papers withheld on files 371/34563–89, only one of which appears to relate to the Katyn massacre. I shall let my hon. Friend know the outcome of the review in due course.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prescriptions for benzodiazepine drugs have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Services in the past 10 years.

  Mr. Ancram
  Some 7,995,602 prescriptions for benzodiazepine drugs were issued by general practitioners in Northern Ireland between 1983 and 1993.

  Government Offices (Union Flag)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a flag pole has been provided at the premises of the roads service of the Department of the Environment in Armagh city; whether a Union flag has been supplied to these premises; whether advice has been given about the recognised days on which the Union flag is flown at Government offices; why the Union flag was not flown on the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen at these premises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Both a flag pole and a Union flag are provided at the Department of the Environment's roads service premises in Armagh city. Advice is usually given about the recognised days on which the Union flag is flown at Government offices but, owing to an administrative error, the date of the Queen's official birthday was not notified this year. Steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a flag pole has been provided at the premises of the water service at the Department of the Environment in Armagh city; whether a Union flag has been supplied to these premises; whether advice has been given about the recognised days on which the Union flag is to be flown at Government offices; why the Union flag was not flown on the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen at these premises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Neither a flag pole nor a Union flag has been provided at the Department of the Environment's water executive sub-divisional depot at 15 Ardmore road, Armagh. Provision will be made as soon as possible to enable a Union flag to be flown at this building.

  Waste Paper Recycling
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to provide for payments to voluntary groups to collect waste paper for recycling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Government have no plans to provide for payments to voluntary groups to collect waste paper for recycling. New waste legislation is being prepared, which will introduce to Northern Ireland provisions similar to those contained in part 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, including a recycling credit scheme.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sites have been identified in the constituency of South Down for the purposes of industrial development by the Industrial Development Board from 1 April 1984 to 31 March 1994; and which are they.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Industrial Development Board's industrial estates at Killough road in Downpatrick and at Milltown in Warrenpoint have been available for industrial development since 1984.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by the Industrial Development Board on the indentification of sites for industrial development in South Down.
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  Mr. Tim Smith
  A 6-acre site has been identified at the racecourse on Ballydugan road in Downpatrick. A search for other possible locations has resulted in four sites being identified and a report on their suitability for industrial development is expected at the end of July.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs were created by the Industrial Development Board from 1 April 1984 to 31 March 1994; how many of these were the result of inward investment contracts; and what are the location of these jobs.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Information on job creations is not available in the manner requested or by location. However, details of jobs promoted by the Industrial Development Board over the last 10 years are available by district council area and are set out in the table. The Industrial Development Board's own research shows that companies create approximately two thirds of all promoted jobs over a period of three to five years after acceptance of the Industrial Development Board's offer of assistance.

  Jobs Promoted by the Industrial Development Board 1984–85 to 1993–94

  District Council Area

  Total Jobs Promoted

  Inward Investment Jobs Included in Total Jobs

  Antrim

  3,878

  1,972

  Ards

  1,419

  130

  Armagh

  562

  —

  Ballymena

  1,284

  323

  Ballymoney

  536

  116

  Banbridge

  206

  —

  Belfast

  4,145

  2,128

  Carrickfergus

  978

  216

  Castlereagh

  1,205

  407

  Coleraine

  1,205

  20

  Cookstown

  232

  —

  Craigavon

  5,039

  754

  Derry

  5,356

  1,626

  Down

  589

  121

  Dungannon

  2,544

  257

  Fermanagh

  1,350

  109

  Larne

  1,758

  100

  Limavady

  922

  483

  Lisburn

  2,567

  1,160

  Magherafelt

  832

  22

  Moyle

  52

  37

  £000s

  Category

  Belfast

  Western

  North-Eastern

  South-Eastern

  Southern

  1992–93

  Major

  —

  220

  —

  1,967

  104

  Minor

  164

  195

  468

  265

  105

  1993–941

  Major

  —

  14

  —

  3,358

  —

  Minor

  222

  192

  258

  74

  57

  1Provisional.

  Local Enterprise Development Unit
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been created by the Local Enterprise Development Unit from 1 April 1984 to 31 March 1994; if he will list the locations of these jobs; and how many of these jobs still exist.
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  District Council Area

  Total Jobs Promoted

  Inward Investment Jobs Included in Total Jobs

  Newry and Mourne

  1,475

  347

  Newtownabbey

  4,585

  1,222

  North Down

  572

  60

  Omagh

  392

  131

  Strabane

  1,113

  —

  TOTAL

  44,796

  11,741

  House Sales, Ards
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the income from the sale of houses for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in the borough of Ards for the years 1993–94 and 1992–93; and how much of this income was reinvested in the borough of Ards in each of those two years.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but its chief executive has advised me that income from the house sales scheme in the borough of Ards was £1·335 million for 1992–93 and £1·398 million for 1993–94. The Housing Executive's investment in the borough of Ards on new build was £1·919 million in 1992–93 and £1·659 million in 1993–94.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total capital expenditure for minor and major works for each college of further education in Northern Ireland during each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the colleges' total capital expenditure for each financial year from 1989 to 1992 is analysed by area in the "Statements and Summary of the Education and Library Boards' Accounts"—Cmnds. 1531, 1977 and 2249—copies of which are available in the Library.

  The 1992–93 and 1993–94 expenditure is as follows:

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Up to 1990–91 the principal measure of LEDU performance was job promotions. The job promotion figures for 1984–85 to 1990–91 by regional area are as follows:
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  Area

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  North

  672

  799

  653

  903

  675

  839

  775

  South

  859

  669

  992

  839

  975

  1,121

  1,110

  East

  1,903

  1,896

  1,974

  1,896

  2,036

  2,632

  2,942

  West

  575

  524

  582

  409

  709

  629

  674

  TOTAL

  4,009

  3,888

  4,201

  4,047

  4,395

  5,221

  5,501

  Since 1991–92 LEDU has identified net employment change within all LEDU client companies. These figures are not available on a regional basis.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Jobs Created

  1,750

  2,630

  2,870

  Jobs Lost due to Closures

  2,400

  1,610

  1,530

  Net Employment Change

  -650

  1,020

  1,340

  It is not possible to say how many jobs created by LEDU in a given year and location are still in existence.

  Red Squirrels
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by county the current estimate of the red squirrel population; what were the figures(a) five years and (b) 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  No estimate of the red squirrel population of Northern Ireland has been made. I counted five when I visited Belvoir forest park on 23 March. Support for the population of red squirrels includes full protection under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

PRIME MINISTER

  State Property
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list by date and item for the last 48 months when an item from the state property inventories maintained at No. 10 Downing street was discovered to have been missing; whether each item found to be missing was discovered by he Cabinet Office internal auditors or by one of his officials responsible for making periodic checks of the inventory; and if he will list those items that have now been traced, and where they were discovered.

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, no item from the state property inventories has been discovered missing within the stated period.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Surplus EC Food
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the production, distribution and transportation of the surplus EC food currently being distributed; the quantities and costs involved in the current year; and what his projections are for the changes and trends in the system next year and in subsequent years.

  Mr. Jack
  In 1994, the European Commission allocated 175 mecu—£136 million—to member states under the EC 168
  surplus food scheme which is fully financed by the Community. The United Kingdom received 29 mecu—£23 million—for the release from invervention stores of 6,840 tonnes of beef, its transportation to processors, processing into canned stewed steak and its distribution to designated organisations. Certain administrative costs of these organisations are also reimbursed. The transportation of the produce to organisations for distribution to about 1·6 million eligible recipients should be completed by the end of July. Copies of leaflets LP45 and LP46, which describe the scheme rules, are available in the Library of the House.

  The European Commission is responsible for allocating funds to member states and for approving their plans for operating this scheme. It does so for one year in advance only. For 1995, the United Kingdom's current plan is to maintain the present arrangements, but I shall be making an announcement about this later in the year.

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will urge the European Commission to adopt a maximum eight-hour limit on slaughter journeys, and prohibit the export of farm animals to non-EU countries which do not comply with EU welfare standards during transport and at slaughter;

  (2) if she will support a maximum journey time for animals when the transport directive is decided upon.

  Mr. Soames
  At this week's Agriculture Council, the United Kingdom withheld support for a revised package of proposals on the welfare of animals during transport. We have obtained a commitment from the Commission that it will bring forward further proposals on journey limits by 1 July 1995.

  Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations exist regarding milk produced by cows known to be infected with the bovine immunodeficiency virus.

  Mr. Soames
  All milk for human consumption must meet the requirements of the Milk and Dairies (General) Regulations 1959 and the Milk (Special Designations) Regulations 1989 made under the Food Safety Act 1990. Animal feed containing milk or milk products must meet the requirements of the Agriculture Act 1970 and the Feeding Stuffs Regulations 1991, as amended. Neither the Acts nor the regulations refer to bovine immunodeficiency-like virus.

  Chickens
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the losses in each of the last five years from(a) chicken cancer and (b) Mareks disease in chickens, and other herpes-based diseases.
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  Mr. Soames
  These diseases are not notifiable and therefore no comprehensive data is maintained.

  State Veterinary Service
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer to the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) of 18 April,Official Report, column 415, which interested parties he has so far consulted and which he intends to consult regarding the future of the state veterinary service.

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. Friend will consult interested parties shortly. The consultation documents will be placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Court Escort Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conditions were specified in respect of the number of employees to be employed for the first phase of the contract in the contract with Securicor for carrying out court escort services in the Metropolitan police area.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the court escort and custody service contract in the Metropolitan Police area.
  There were no conditions relating specifically to the number of employees to be employed by Securicor Custodial Services Limited for the first phase of their contract to carry out court escort services in the Metropolitan Police area. Securicor were required, however, to employ sufficient numbers to staff adequately all courts in the contract area thereby enabling the courts to function effectively. They were also required to employ sufficient staff to escort safely all those who were required at courts.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conditions were specified in respect of pay and terms of service of employees in the contract with Securicor for carrying out court escort services in the Metropolitan police area.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the court escort and custody service contract in the Metropolitan Police area.
  There were no conditions specific to the pay and terms of service of employees in the contract with Securicor Custodial Services Limited for carrying out court escort services in the Metropolitan Police area.
  Securicor are responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, and pay and terms of service for all their personnel.
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  Recruitment policy and procedures must however be approved by the Prison Service. The Prison Service must be satisfied that the level of pay and the terms of service are sufficiently attractive to enable Securicor Custodial Services Limited to recruit and retain high calibre staff.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies tendered for the contract to carry out court escort services in the Metropolitan police area.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the companies that tendered for the contract to carry out court escort services in the Metropolitan Police area.
  Tenders were received on 30 September 1993 from the following four companies: Securicor Custodial Services Limited; Reliance Custodial Services; Group 4 Court Services and Pinkerton Court Escort Services Limited.
  After carefully considering the proposals, the Prisons Board decided to award the contract to Securicor Custodial Services Limited.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the value of the contract awarded to Securicor for court escort services in the Metropolitan police area.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the value of the contract awarded to Securicor for court escort services in the Metropolitan Police area.
  The contract is valued at £96 million and will run for five years.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is currently given to prison officers escorting prisoners to court; what is the duration of that training; and what training, of what duration, will be given to employees of private security firms engaged in this work from 27 June in the Metropolitan police area.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the court escort and custody service contract in the Metropolitan Police area.
  All newly recruited prison officers receive specific training in court escort duties as part of their nine weeks induction course. The training comprises six sessions of 45 minutes each and

  171
  covers relevant court and Prison Service procedures. Many other aspects of the induction course are also relevant to escort duties, including a range of training in interpersonal skills and general security procedures such as searching, handcuffing, and use of the closeting chain.
  Securicor are required by the contract to train all their custodial staff to prepare them for certification and employment as Prisoner Custody Officers carrying out prisoner escort duties and as Prisoner Custody Officers performing custodial duties at a contracted out prison.
  The training consists of five modules which cover the following subjects: the legal framework; prisoner management; security; supervision and control; general. This training totals 234 hours.
  All training must be approved by, and completed to the satisfaction of the Prison Service.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks his Department has made for criminal records of the employees of Securicor who will be carrying out court escort services in the Metropolitan police area as of 27 June.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the checks made for criminal records of the employees of Securicor who will be carrying out court escort services in the Metropolitan Police area.
  All people who work at contracted out prisons and for the contracted court escort service are subject to routine enquiries about their suitability to work with prisoners. These enquiries are similar to those made in relation to applicants for Prison Service employment. Candidates who apply for employment, either in the public or the private sector of the Prison Service, in custodial duties or escort functions are exempted from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by the Rehabilitation Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, and therefore convictions which ordinarily are regarded as "spent" are taken into account.

  Probation and Bail Hostels
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home
  Department what is the total number of places in probation and bail hostels covering the Greater London area at 1 April.

  Mr. Maclean
  As at 1 April, there were a total of 343 approved hostel places in the Greater London area, comprising the inner-London, north-east, south-east and south-west London and Middlesex probation services.

  Deportation
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions to make a deportation order have been taken in each of the past five years either under section 3(5)(a) or section 3(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1971 where the person to be deported had made known to the Secretary of State the existence of his or her British citizen children.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Remand
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1990(a) the percentage of prisoners who are on remand for three months and over who are subsequently brought to trial, (b) the percentage of those on remand for three months and over who are brought to trial who are found not guilty and (c) of those brought to trial, found guilty and sentenced to a prison term, the percentage who have already served as long or longer on remand.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is not available.

  Immigration (EEA Nationals)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific amount of capital or income has been set by the immigration and nationality department to satisfy the Department of a European economic area national's entitlement to residence under Council directive 90/364 EEC.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No specific amounts are set, but in general we expect an applicant to have a sufficient level of income or capital to exceed the limits at which income support could be claimed.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is made under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994 or elsewhere to give effect to Council directive 75/34 article 5, which says that a retired self-employed citizen of the Union must be permitted a period of two years from the date on which he or she becomes entitled to the right of residence to exercise the right, even if the person has spent those two years outside the country.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Article 6 of the draft Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994 provides that a self-employed person who has ceased economic activity in the United Kingdom within the terms of Council directive 75/34/EEC is qualified to reside in the United Kingdom. No time limit is imposed within which this right must be exercised.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence of sickness insurance in respect of all risks the immigration and nationality department has determined to be appropriate for the purposes of Council directive 90/364 EEC.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This requirement is not applied at present.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the European Union have been issued letters in each of the past five years advising them that their presence in the United Kingdom is no longer lawful on the ground that the person is not or is no longer exercising a treaty right; and how many of those decisions were subsequently executed in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information is available for only part of the period requested. Between September 1992 and December 1992, 27 letters were issued to European Community nationals advising them that, because they
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  were not in employment and had insufficient resources to avoid becoming a burden on public funds, they were not exercising a right of residence under European Community law and accordingly should make arrangements to leave the United Kingdom. In 1993, 180 such letters were issued. Since 1 January 1994, when EC rights of residence were extended to the European economic area, 563 such letters have been issued to EEA nationals. The Benefits Agency is informed so that it can cease payment of any income support, but it is not known how many of those concerned subsequently left the country.

  Road Schemes (Protests)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total costs of policing for protests regarding(a) the M11 link road, (b) Twyford Down and (c) the Swainswick and Batheaston bypass; and what additional funds have been made to the forces concerned.

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

  Debts (Non-Payment)
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and how many women have been imprisoned for non-payment of television licence fees in each of the last five years, giving the average amount of debt unpaid by these offenders.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is for 1991–93 and is given in the table. No information is available for the period before 1991 because the offence of non-payment of fines for using a television without a licence was not separately identified in the prison statistics. No information is available centrally regarding the amount of debt outstanding.

  Receptions into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for non-payment of the community charge, rates, other debts and for using a television without a licence:

  May 1993 to April 19941

  Non-criminal offences

  Using a television without a licence2

  Month

  Non-payment of community charge

  Non-payment of rates

  Other debts2

  Males

  1993

  May

  97

  16

  23

  43

  June

  59

  12

  22

  45

  July

  106

  12

  32

  47

  August

  82

  10

  25

  45

  September

  96

  14

  29

  49

  October

  125

  8

  23

  48

  November

  96

  14

  20

  44

  December

  62

  6

  13

  34

  1994

  January

  78

  12

  23

  52

  February

  90

  10

  20

  40

  March

  97

  5

  15

  34

  April

  72

  7

  19

  31

  Females

  1993

  May

  8

  2

  —

  19

  June

  5

  2

  —

  20

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  Receptions into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for non-payment of fine imposed for using a television without a licence 1991–1993.

  Year

  Number received

  Males

  Females

  1991

  258

  136

  1992

  405

  163

  11993

  553

  292

  1Provisional figures

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fine defaulters have been imprisoned for non-payment of(a) television licences and (b) community charge or council tax since 1990.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is given in the table. No information is available for the period before 1991 for non-payment of fines for using a television without a licence because the offence was not separately identified in the prison statistics.

  Receptions into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for non-payment of fine imposed for using a television without a licence and non-payment of the community charge, 1991–1993.

  Year

  Offence

  1990

  1991

  1992

  19931

  Non-payment of fine for using a TV without a licence

  n/a

  394

  568

  845

  Non-payment of community charge2

  1

  113

  504

  1,157

  1Provisional information.

  2A non-criminal offence.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female debt defaulters were imprisoned in each month for the latest 12 months for which information is available in respect of non-payment of (i) community charge or poll tax, (ii) rates or council tax, (iii) television licence, (iv) hire purchase and (v) other debts.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is given in the table. No information is available centrally for nonpayment of hire purchase.
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  Non-criminal offences

  Using a television without a licence2

  Month

  Non-payment of community charge

  Non-payment of rates

  Other debts2

  July

  10

  1

  —

  31

  August

  15

  —

  —

  31

  September

  19

  5

  —

  20

  October

  12

  —

  —

  27

  November

  10

  —

  —

  31

  December

  6

  —

  —

  21

  1994

  January

  9

  —

  —

  25

  February

  15

  —

  —

  28

  March

  20

  1

  —

  19

  April

  12

  1

  —

  22

  1Provisional information.

  2In default of payment of a fine.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 20 courts passing the largest number of custodial sentences in respect of the non-payment of debts for the latest period of 12 months for which there is information, specifying in addition how many of these sentences were for non-payment of(a) television licences and (b) community charge.

  Mr. Maclean
  I regret that the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Urban Areas (Policing)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the formula for calculating areas of urban population for policing purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A new needs-based formula is currently being developed to inform the allocation of resources between police authorities. The definition of urban areas is being considered in that context.

  Deportations
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made in the last year for which figures are available of excessive force during deportations; and how many of these complaints were(a) about immigration officers and (b) about employees of private security firms.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  During the 12 months to 31 May 1994, complaints of this nature were made in four cases. All related to employees of private security firms, and all were found to be unsubstantiated.

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to date of implementing the Dangerous Dogs Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on the cost to the police, local authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts of implementing the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is not held centrally.

  Life Sentences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female prisoners at present serving a life sentence in prisons in England and Wales had their sentence reviewed by the Life Sentence Review Board during 1993.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In 1993, the Parole Board considered 680 life sentence cases for release. I regret that information on the split between male and female cases is not readily available.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for(a) start-up costs and (b) phase-in costs under the contract to run Blakenhurst prison.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services.
  The payments for start up costs were £3·3 million excluding VAT, and the payments for phase in costs were £4·5 million excluding VAT.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for operating costs under the contract to run Blakenhurst prison during its first year of operation; and if this sum included the amounts paid for start-up and phase-in costs.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the amount of money paid to United Kingdom

  177
  Detention Services for operating costs under the contract to run Blakenhurst Prison during its first year of operation; and if this sum included the amounts paid for start up and phase in costs.
  The amount of money paid in the first year of operation was £9·4 million excluding VAT.
  This sum does not include the start up costs which were paid before the prison commenced operation. However, it does include the phase in costs which related to the period during which the population of the prison grew to 95 per cent. of the certified normal accommodation. This point was reached in November 1993.

  European Elections
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the turnout across the United Kingdom in the recent European elections; and what was the comparable figure in each of the other member states.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about the number of electors and the number of valid votes counted in the United Kingdom will be included in a Home Office statistical bulletin. Information about the number of people voting in other member states is not held centrally and I will write to the hon. Member once I have the available information.

  Travel Documents
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) British visitor passports and (b) British excursion documents were issued last year; and what was the cost in each case;

  (2) what plans he has to abolish the British visitor passport and British excursion document;

  (3) what plans he has to consult relevant organisations about the future of the British visitors passport and the British excursion document; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In 1988, the Home Affairs Select Committee recommended that urgent consideration should be given to the withdrawal of the British visitor's passport as soon as the computerisation of the passport-issuing process was fully operational. This position has now been reached and in September 1993 the United Kingdom Passport Agency began a review of the suitability of the British visitor's passport and the British excursion document as alternatives to the standard passport for travel abroad. The review is considering document security, international acceptability, customer choice and convenience, and other relevant factors. About 1,972,800 British visitor's passports, and 249,000 British excursion documents were issued in 1993–94 at a cost of £12 and £3 respectively.

  The Passport Agency has consulted widely on the review, and detailed responses have been received from travel agents, tour operators, transport and shipping associations, consumer groups and interested organisations within Government. The Passport Agency will be reporting its findings to me in the next few months, when a decision will be taken.

  Animal Testing
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the guidance on eye irritation tests.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The guidelines issued in 1987 have been reviewed by the animals (scientific procedures)178
  inspectorate and my right hon. and learned Friend has agreed that revised guidelines should be issued to establishments where such testing is carried out. The guidelines have been endorsed by the Animal Procedures Committee. Copies of the guidelines have been placed in the Library.

  The revised guidelines aim to promote best practice in order to keep to the minimum any suffering involved to animals used for eye irritation tests while enabling the requirements of regulatory authorities for such testing to be satisfied.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Switzerland
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Switzerland's relations with the European Union.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Switzerland has long-standing close links with the European Union. Following the Swiss referendum rejecting European Economic Area membership, the European Union agreed in principle in November 1993 to start negotiations with Switzerland on a number of new bilateral agreements. The Swiss referendum vote in February in favour of a ban from 2004 on lorries transiting the Alps has so far prevented agreement on a mandate for road transport negotiations. But the May Foreign Affairs Council asked the Commission to bring forward mandates in other priority areas and to obtain clarification of the transit ban, so that transport mandates could be adopted. The United Kingdom has pressed for negotiations to open quickly.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) of 19 April,Official Report, column 446, what precise steps are being taken to encourage India and Pakistan's accession to the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We continue to urge India and Pakistan to accede to the non-proliferation treaty at every appropriate opportunity both in our bilateral contacts and in multilateral forums. We are also supportive of all efforts to improve confidence and security in the region which we believe will help to create an environment in which accession to the NPT by these two countries will become more likely.

  North Korea
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments concerning the verification of North Korea's nuclear facilities; and what action he is proposing to take.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  North Korea's continued noncompliance with its safeguards agreement is a cause of great concern. North Korea recently completed the removal of all the used fuel rods from its 5 MW nuclear reactor without allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency to verify independently where different rods had been located in the reactor, which prevented the agency
  179
  from verifying whether plutonium had previously been diverted from the reactor. A further worrying development is North Korea's decision to withdraw from the IAEA, though this does not affect the legality of their safeguards obligations. Action, including possible sanctions, is now being considered by the United Nations Security Council.

  Yemen
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of which countries appear to be supportive of each of the two sides in the Yemeni conflict.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Those countries that have issued statements about the crisis in Yemen have, as far as we are aware, supported neither one side nor the other. United Nations Security Council resolution 924, calling for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue to end the crisis, has received widespread support.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what practical action is being proposed to enforce the United Nations embargo on arms supplies to both sides in the Yemeni war.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Nations Security Council resolution 924 urged countries to cease the supply of arms and other materials to Yemen. No action is necessary in respect of direct exports from the United Kingdom since all military exports are already licensable. No licences have been issued for military equipment for the Yemen since this resolution was passed.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether Iraq is militarily supporting north Yemen in the Yemeni war.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no reliable information about Iraq's involvement in Yemen.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of which British commercial interests both in and outside Yemen are put at risk by the Yemeni conflict.

  Mr. Needham
  I have been asked to reply.

  Plans by several British companies to assist the Republic of Yemen in refurbishing its infrastructure and developing its natural resources have been set back by the current conflict. For example, it was hoped that a major British company would be awarded a contract to help redevelop the oil refinery outside Aden, which has been hit by air raids. Additionally, a British consortium planning the expansion of Mukalla port and power generation has had to postpone its plans.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he fully supports the United Nations Secretary-General's report on Cyprus; and whether he endorses the Secretary-General's criticism of the lack of political will by the Turkish side to promote a solution to the Cyprus issue.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The United Nations Secretary-General's report of 30 May was an accurate reflection of 180
  the situation at the time. There appears to have been some progress since then. We await a further report by the United Nations Secretary-General.

  Occupied Territories
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions he has made to the initial installation of a Palestinian administration in the former occupied territories.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have contributed £1·3 million to the World bank's trust fund for technical assistance and are contributing through the EC to the start-up costs of the new Palestinian Administration, and of the police in particular. Bilaterally, we have assisted the Administration with expert legal advice on the drafting of the Basic Law and with police training and equipment. We are providing assistance in the financial sector, including Bank of England assistance with the establishment of a central monetary authority, to the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction, and with the legal infrastructure in Gaza. We will also provide help in organising and monitoring the elections.

  Iran
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the reasons given by the Iranian Government for the expulsion of a British diplomat from the British embassy in Teheran; and what was his response to this action.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Iranian Government are reported as having claimed that Mr. Cowell, the British diplomat expelled from Iran, was involved in actions and behaviour contrary to diplomatic norms and had connections with terrorist groups in Iran. We have made it clear to the Iranians that these allegations are completely unjustified. In our view, Mr. Cowell's withdrawal was a tit-for-tat reaction to the removal of an Iranian first secretary in London in connection with attempts by members of the Iranian embassy to distribute forged documents.

  European Union
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the last 10 years the United Kingdom has used its veto in meetings of the Council of Ministers and other EU ministerial groupings.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The United Kingdom can always ensure that its concerns are taken fully into account where the treaty requires unanimous voting. As votes are not normally taken in these circumstances, it is not possible to quantify the number of occasions over the past decade on which we have used the requirement for unanimity in order to insist on a particular outcome.

  Israel
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent developments there have been in Israel-Jordan relationships; and what is his policy on them.
  181
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Israel and Jordan have agreed to set up a bilateral commission to discuss water, environment, boundaries and security that will meet in the region in July. We welcome this, and hope there will be further progress on all tracks towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress there has been in changing the Malaysian Government's policy of not awarding Government contracts to British firms.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have been working hard to restore full trade relations with Malaysia and have remained in close touch with the Malaysian Government. The Malaysians have recently said that the embargo is under review, but have not told us when it will be lifted.

  Caspian Sea
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to him by the Russian Government concerning a British-Azerbaijani memorandum signed in February on oil and gas projects in the Caspian sea.

  Mr. Hogg
  The Governments of the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding on energy co-operation in February 1994 which made reference to the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian sea. The Government of the Russian Federation subsequently transmitted to Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow a note setting out their views on the legal status of the Caspian sea.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Governments have now committed forces to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Rwanda; and when it is expected that these forces will be in place.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Congo and Mali have all responded positively to the United Nations Secretary-General's appeal for troops to agument the United Nations aid mission in Rwanda. It is expected that the first of these troops will be able to be deployed in early July.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what logistical support the United Kingdom Government have committed to the peacekeeping force in Rwanda.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has offered the United Nations 50 4-tonne four-wheel-drive vehicles for use by the United Nations peacekeeping force in Rwanda.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 and 14 June.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 13 and 14 June in Luxembourg.
  182
  The presidency briefed the Council on its plans for the European Council in Corfu on 24 and 25 June. Growth, competitiveness and unemployment would be the lead items. Other subjects would include the next President of the Commission, Mediterranean issues, aspects of the common foreign and security policy and a formal decision to set up the 1996 study group as agreed in March at the informal Foreign Ministers' meeting in Ioannina.

  President Delors presented a progress report on follow-up action on the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment. There was a general discussion on issues that would be raised under this item at Corfu.

  The Council discussed relations with Ukraine, in particular proposals for assistance in the fields of nuclear safety and agriculture.

  The EC and its member states and Ukraine also signed a partnership and co-operation agreement, with President Kravchuk signing for Ukraine. In addition, the Council approved a negotiating mandate for an EC/Ukraine interim agreement on trade matters.

  The Council agreed that the EC-Russia partnership and co-operation agreement could be signed in Corfu, subject to Russian confirmation of the lifting of certain restrictions on the operations of European Union banks in Russia.

  The Council welcomed the ad referendum agreement by both the Muslim and Croat Mostar delegations to the memorandum of understanding defining the role of the European Union administrator who would shortly take over the administration of the city. The Council also discussed how best to develop its relationship with Croatia, and to encourage continued Croatian co-operation with the peace process.

  The European Union observer for Cyprus reported to the Council on recent developments in the United Nation's efforts towards implementation of the Secretary-General's package of confidence-building measures. The Council noted that, in spite of the unhelpful Turkish Cypriot attitude until recently, a last effort was being made to secure agreement, and that the United Nations Secretary-General would be reporting to the Security Council again soon. The Council agreed to continue to monitor the situation and to discuss it again at Corfu.

  The Council agreed mandates for the negotiation of new financial protocols with Cyprus and Malta.

  The Commission presented a paper on the EU-Mercosur relationship. After discussion, it agreed to produce a further paper on options for developing this relationship. The issue will be discussed further under the German presidency.

  Ministers agreed to extend the common foreign and security policy joint action on the stability pact to cover the follow-up to the Paris launch conference. The documents agreed at the Paris conference will be transmitted to Corfu.

  The Council noted a paper outlining the options available for financing costs arising from common foreign and security policy actions. It was agreed that these should be discussed with the incoming European Parliament and that further work should be undertaken on specific procedures.

  The Council discussed a presidency compromise package designed to secure agreement to a regulation to create a common Community regime of export controls on dual use goods. The package was agreed by 10 member

  183
  states including the United Kingdom but Denmark and Belgium asked for a little more time to reach a final decision.

  The Council discussed a proposal to amend the existing regulation on outward processing trade—OPT—in textiles. The subject was referred for further work by experts, pending discussion at the July FAC. A number of delegations, including the United Kingdom, called for the Commission to make a separate proposal establishing duty exemption for OPT conducted with the countries of central and eastern Europe.

  The Council appoved the imposition of a definitive anti-dumping duty on large aluminium electrolytic capacitors from South Korea and Taiwan. The United Kingdom made a statement opposing this proposal, expressing doubts about the injury case and concern for the effects of such high duties on users.

  The Council agreed on a mandate for the Community to participate in negotiations on a convention to combat desertification, recommended by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

  A co-operation council with Israel was held in the margins, attended by Mr. Shimon Peres, the Israeli Foreign Minister.

  Because of shortage of time, the presidency deleted from the agenda the items dealing with aid to banana growers in the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, shipbuilding, access to documents and other business, including imports from China. These will be taken at a future Council.

  No votes were taken during the Council.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Science and Technology
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the importance of science and technology in the Government's White Paper, "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win."

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The competitiveness White Paper reaffirms the message of the last year's White Paper, "Realising our Potential", Cm 2250—that science, engineering and technology make an essential contribution to national competitiveness.

  Research Councils
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish his recent letter to chairmen of research councils setting out the inter-relationships between the chief executives and the director general of research councils.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have already done so. On 23 May I sent copies of the letter to the hon. Members for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) and for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) and to the Chairman of the Science and Technology Select Committee. A copy of the letter has also been placed in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of applications to his Department for projections of future state pension entitlement in the last year for which figures are available and the cost to public funds of this service.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of the pension forecast service 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 Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 21 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking about the Retirement Pension forecast service.
  The Benefits Agency provides centralised services at DSS Longbenton, giving Retirement Pension (RP) forecasts and advice. One is for customers who are currently abroad or going to live abroad and is run by the Agency's Overseas Benefits Directorate. During the year ended March 1994, applications for forecasts totalling 26,142 were made to this service.
  The main RP forecasting service, which is part of the Agency's Newcastle Pensions Directorate, serves customers living in the UK. In the year ended March 1994 this service received 476,339 applications for pension forecasts.
  The combined running costs for these services are in the region of £1·5 million.
  I hope you will find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support elaimants are registered at the Chesterfield, Buxton, Ilkeston, Derby—Beckett street—Derby—London road—and Sutton Benefits Agency offices as at March 1994; and how many at each of these were(a) income support claimants signing on as unemployed, (b) pensioners, (c) income support claimants receiving a lone-parent premium, (d) those receiving a disability premium, (e) those receiving a carer's premium and (f) those receiving a severe disability premium.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Richard, 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. Harry Barnes, dated 21 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for statistics relating to Income Support claims administered by offices within your constituency area.
  The complete range of information is not available in the format requested and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics relating to customers receiving a Carer Premium and or a Severe Disability Premium are only collated on a national basis. The latest information available for those recieving a Carer Premium is available in the Annual Statistical Enquiry (ASE) for May 1992. The latest information for those receiving a Severe Disability Premium is held in the Quarterly Statistical Enquiry (QSE) for August 1993. A copy of both are available in the Library.
  Both of the above premiums can be awarded at the same time as other premiums.

  185
  I have attached a table showing pensioner customers, lone parent customers, unemployed customers and the number where the statistical information held on the Income Support Computer System (ISCS) shows that a Disability Premium has been awarded.
  Guidance advises that wherever a Disability Premium has been awarded, the statistical symbol should be amended on the ISCS. However, there may be cases where the customer receives a Disability Premium in respect of a partner where this action has not been taken, therefore the figures quoted may be inaccurate.
  It should also be noted that the number of customers who receive a Lone Parent Premium may not equate to the number of Lone Parents. This is because the Lone Parent may be entitled to a more beneficial premium.
  I have taken Sutton Office to mean Sutton-in-Ashfield.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Office

  Type of Income Support

  Derby (London Road)

  E

  6,326

  P

  4,178

  L

  3,440

  D

  1,214

  Derby (Beckett Street)

  E

  7,295

  P

  5,733

  L

  2,502

  D

  1,446

  Buxton

  E

  3,086

  P

  2,549

  L

  1,203

  D

  594

  Ilkeston

  E

  5,106

  P

  4,501

  L

  2,386

  D

  1,239

  Chesterfield

  E

  8,853

  P

  7,037

  L

  9,948

  D

  2,358

  Sutton-in-Ashfield

  E

  4,297

  P

  3,169

  L

  1,875

  D

  1,138

  E=Unemployed.

  P=Pensioners.

  L=Lone Parents.

  D=Those in receipt of a Disability Premium.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the cost and benefit to the taxpayer of a recent party for employees of the Child Support Agency in Plymouth.

  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. David Jamieson, dated 21 June 1994:
  186
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the cost and benefit to the tax payer of a recent lunch that was organised for employees of the Child Support Agency Centre in Plymouth.
  The lunch was organised as a local initiative by the Manager of the Child Support Agency Centre in Plymouth, at a cost of £4,800. It replaced the planned opening ceremony for the Centre which was deferred. I am looking further into the circumstances surrounding this occasion.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims have been made in Nottinghamshire for industrial injuries disablement benefit for emphysema and chronic bronchitis; how many have been successful; and how many and, on what grounds, have been refused.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit 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. Paddy Tipping, dated 21 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about claims to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) for chronic bronchitis and emphysema Prescribed Disease (D12) in Nottinghamshire.
  Firstly, I would like to explain that there are two stages to the take on of claims for prescribed disease D12 (known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema), for which industrial injuries disablement benefit has been available since 13 September 1993 for people who have worked for at least 20 years underground in a coal mine.
  Stage 1 was restricted to claims from people who were aged 70 or over on 13 September 1993 or had an award of higher rate Disability Living Allowance care component or higher rate Attendance Allowance. Stage 1 ended on 28 February 1994; stage 2 commenced from 1 March and is open to anybody to claim. All claims are considered for payment from 13 September 1993.
  The information is not available in the precise format requested. This is because statistics are maintained by Benefits Agency (BA) Branch Offices and Districts whose boundaries do not correspond exactly with those of counties. I have therefore tabled, in the attached appendix, statistics which relate to the BA Districts of East and West Nottinghamshire and the Mansfield Branch Office which deal mainly with the Nottinghamshire area. It should be noted that these figures will include some people living outside the Nottinghamshire area.
  The figures have been obtained from a 100 per cent. count as of 12 June 1994 and may be subject to amendment.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix Claims to industrial injuries disablement benefit for prescribed disease D12 (Chronic bronchitis and emphysema) in the Nottinghamshire area)

  Number

  Claims being proceeded with

  4,452

  Successful claims

  362

  Disallowed on prescription

  92

  Regulation 22 cases1

  13

  Assessed at 1 to 13 per cent.2

  1

  Not diagnosed

  3,261

  1Where an applicant is already receiving IIDB in respect of PD D1 (pneumoconiosis) and has been assessed at over 50 per cent. disablement with chronic bronchitis and emphysema as a contributory factor.

  2IIDB not payable for assessments under 14 per cent.

  Notes:

  1. The above figures do not include 66 cases where the claim was

  187
  returned to the customer to claim at the correct time but they have not reclaimed yet.

  2. Source 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of average earnings is represented by severe disablement allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  As at 4 April 1992, the latest year for which information is available, the average payment of severe disablement allowance was £37·45. This figure, which is based on the rates of benefit payable from 11 April 1991, represents 13·2 per cent. of national average earnings at April 1991.1
  1One per cent. sample of claimants for Great Britain and New Earnings Survey (Great Britain) April 1991.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the cases and amounts of money recovered by the compensation recovery unit from victims of asbestosis in Scotland since 1989.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Pensions (Christmas Bonus)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what date the Christmas bonus for pensioners was introduced; what was the amount of bonus payable to(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples in its first year; when it was last increased; what would be the amount of Christmas bonus payable to pensioners in 1994 if the level of payment had reflected the movement in the retail prices index or the average wage, whichever was the higher; and if he will make a statement.

  (2) if he will increase the Christmas bonus for pensioners in the current year to reflect the movement in retail prices since 1972.

  Mr. Hague
  The Christmas bonus was first introduced in 1972 at the rate of £10 for single pensioners and £20 for pensioner couples. No Government have increased the bonus since. If the Christmas bonus had been increased in line with the movement in the retail prices index or the average wage, whichever was the higher, the rate at December 1994 would be £101·90. We have no plans to increase the bonus.
  Sources:

  1. The Retail Prices Index (All Items), as published by the Central Statistical Office.

  2. Average Earnings Index (Whole Economy, Unadjusted) as published by the Employment Department.

  Note:

  Calculations rounded to nearest 5 pence.

  Michael Boothe
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what review of procedures he has instituted following the conviction of Michael Boothe for benefit fraud.

  Mr. Hague
  Following the conviction of Michael Boothe, a review of recruitment procedures is being undertaken to improve the checks made upon applicants.188
  We are examining the usefulness of personal referees and the procedures for taking references from previous employers.

  In addition, a study is due to start in July to determine why girocheques, and other instruments of payment, are being issued clerically.

  A full investigation of any specific allegations of further internal fraud will be conducted.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many refusals of disability living allowance at review have gone to appeal; and in how many cases the refusal at the review stage has been overturned on appeal;

  (2) how many refusals of disability living allowance have been taken to review; and in how many cases the original refusal has been overturned at review;

  (3) to what extent the proportion of successful appeals against refusal of disability living allowance exceeds the proportion of successful appeals against refusal of attendance allowance in the last three years for which it existed.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested as the reason for review or appeal is not recorded. Neither is it possible to give comparative figures for disability living allowance and attendance allowance appeals. Prior to 1992, decisions to award or refuse AA were made by a designated medical practitioner on behalf of the AA board, and there was no right of appeal analogous to the present right of appeal to a disability appeal tribunal. The AA board, itself, carried out reviews where requested. An appeal could be made to the social security commissioner, but only on a point of law.

  Reviews and appeals are not requested solely because of a refusal to award benefit. People already receiving DLA may be dissatisfied with the level or duration of benefit and many reviews are promoted by deterioration in a person's condition.

  The available figures relating to reviews and appeals are shown in the tables.

  Number

  All new claims for disability living allowance1

  1,030,942

  Rejected claims for disability living allowance1

  453,533

  All reviews requested within 3 months of the decision on the claim1

  231,985

  Unsuccesful reviews requested within 3 months of the decision on the claim1

  124,821

  Appeals made2

  38,785

  Appeals heard and decided2

  24,409

  Successful appeals2

  12,996

  16 February 1992 to 31 May 1994. Source is DSS (Analytical Services Division) 100 per cent. count of cases.

  2February 1992 to 17 June 1994. Source is Independent Tribunal Service 100 per cent. count of cases.

  Per cent

  Proportion of reviews successful

  Proportion of appeals to Disability appeal tribunals successful

  Attendance allowance 1990

  375

  —

  Attendance allowance 1991

  372

  —

  Attendance allowance 1992

  379

  —

  Disability living allowance

  146

  253

  189
  16 February 1992 to 31 May 1994. Source is DSS (Analytical Services Division) 100 per cent. count of cases.

  2February 1992 to 17 June 1994. Source is Independent Tribunal Service 100 per cent. count of cases.

  31 April 1993 to 31 March 1994. Source is DSS (Analytical Services Division) 100 per cent. count of cases.

  Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received(a) in favour of and (b) against the passage of the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill since its Report stage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Since commencement of Report stage, we have received a number of representations expressing a range of views including opposition to and support for the passage of the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill. A detailed breakdown is not available.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to the Exchequer of invalid care allowance; and how many people are in receipt of it currently.

  Mr. Scott
  As at 13 June 1994, the latest date for which information is available, there were 247,8361 people in receipt of invalid care allowance.

  The latest expenditure estimate for 1993–94 is £433 Million.2
  1Based on a 100 per cent count and subject to amendment.2Departmental Report 1994.

EDUCATION

  Schools (Organisation)
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to issue fresh guidance on the organisation of schools, reflecting the new provisions of the Education Act 1993.

  Mr. Patten
  I have, earlier today, issued a consultative circular on the supply of school places, to which interested parties have been asked to respond by Friday 5 August. The circular emphasises the importance of quality, choice, diversity and cost-effectiveness in the provision of new school places and describes the action being taken to secure that. Principal elements in the circular are:

  (i) the announcement that, in certain circumstances, I may be prepared to approve proposals for new school places despite the absence of a projected shortfall of places in the area, in particular where in my view the proposed new school places would significantly enhance the quality, choice and diversity of education available in that area and where there would be scope, following the approval of new places, for rationalising places at other schools;

  (ii) a description of the new framework for the organisation of schools under the 1993 Act, including the role of the new Funding Agency for Schools;

  (iii) guidance on how promoters might establish new grant-maintained schools. This new pathway is already attracting considerable interest;

  (iv) an outline of the streamlined process for the removal of surplus places, where practicable, while acknowledging that some may need to be retained to promote parental choice, or to preserve access to schools in rural areas.

WALES

  European Constituencies (GDP)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give in cash terms, and as a percentage of the United Kingdom average the gross domestic product per capita for(a) each of the new European constituencies in Wales, (b) the average for Wales, (c) the United Kingdom and (d) the European Community.

  Mr. Redwood
  The following table gives the information requested, except for information on European constituencies in Wales, which is not available.

  GDP per head 11991

  Percentage of United Kingdom average

  Wales

  12,452

  84·5

  United Kingdom

  14,732

  100

  EUR 12

  14,989

  101·7

  1Expressed in terms of purchasing power standard units (purchasing power adjusted ECU).

  Source: Eurostat

  United Kingdom GDP grew faster than GDP in Germany or France in the 1980s—the best relative performance since 1945. The latest forecast from the International Monetary Fund—April—suggests that the United Kingdom will have the fastest growth among major EC countries in both 1994 and 1995. In 1991, direct taxes, including community charge and social security contributions, on households in the United Kingdom took a lower proportion of personal income than in any other major European country.

  Sheep Annual Premium
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers in Wales were entitled to receive sheep premium grants; how many claims, and what percentage of the total number of entitled farmers, were settled by(a) 30 April, (b) 15 May and (c) 31 May.

  Mr. Redwood
  Some 17,410 eligible claims were received in 1993. The number and percentage of claims settled is as follows:

  By 30 April

  By 15 May

  By 31 May

  Advance Payment

  15,877

  16,064

  16,113

  Percentage

  91·2

  92·3

  92·6

  Final Payment

  Nil

  Nil

  11,443

  Percentage

  —

  —

  65·6

  As at 8 June 14,422-82·8 per cent.—of final payments had been sent to farmers.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library copies of the annual reports of the NHS trusts in Wales which became operational on 1 April 1992 and 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Copies of the annual reports for 1992–93 and 1993–94 will be placed in the Library of the House when available.

  Rural Wales Forum
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet representatives of the Rural Wales Forum to discuss their survey of the difficulties faced by village halls; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Financial support to village halls in Wales is available under a number of schemes, including the voluntary youth services, village halls and community centres programme. On 29 March, I announced under this programme a three-year grant package of nearly £700,000 to support 44 local youth and community facilities in Wales costing a total of almost £1·62 million.

  Other Welsh Office schemes which can be considered for such support include the strategic development scheme and the social grants scheme operated by the Development Board for Rural Wales.

  Local Authorities
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities have failed to provide a list of background papers on official reports to their council committees in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Development Board for Rural Wales
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the annual budget of the Development Board for Rural Wales; how the members of the Development Board for Rural Wales are appointed; and how many jobs have been brought to rural Wales as a result of the work of the development board.

  Mr. Redwood
  The development board's grant-in-aid provision for 1992–95 is £14·4 million. This, together with receipts from the sale of land and buildings, rents and other income, will enable the board to plan for gross expenditure of £27·3 million on such activities as property and business development, housing, a social programme and its own overheads.

  All candidates for appointment to the development board are considered by Ministers on their individual merits. Account is taken of the overall needs of the board and the balance of skills among members. The legislation provides that the board shall consist of between 11 and 13 members, at least five of whom shall be appointed after consultation with local authorities.

  Censuses of employment show that in 1991, the number of employees in rural Wales had increased by 11,000 since 1981. This represents employment growth of 18·9 per cent. in rural Wales. Comparative figures for Wales as a whole and for Great Britain are 2·9 per cent. and 1·2 per cent. respectively. Over the same period, employment in the manufacturing sector had increased by 15·6 per cent. in rural Wales.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make an announcement on the future of the Development Board for Rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  On 14 March 1994, I announced my intention of undertaking a review of the future of the 192
  DBRW. All Welsh MPs and local authorities have been consulted, together with a number of other interested bodies. Over 80 responses have been received and these are currently being considered. I hope to make my announcement before the summer recess, following consultations with colleagues.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received(a) in favour of the retention of the Development Board for Rural Wales and (b) against the retention of the Development Board for Rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 17 June 1994]: On 14 March 1994, I announced my intention of undertaking a review of the future of the DBRW. All Welsh MPs and local authorities were consulted, together with a number of other interested bodies. Some 81 replies have so far been received. A wide variety of opinions has been expressed, with about half the respondents favouring retention of the DBRW.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce new building regulations and amend existing building regulations to promote the development of barrier-free housing in terms of(a) new build and (b) renovated or modernised properties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for the Environment, intends to consult on a range of building regulation provisions which could be applied to the design of new dwellings for the benefit of disabled people.

  There are no plans to consider the application of such requirements to existing dwellings subject to renovation or modernisation.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how the Welsh Office determined the baseline for the health gain target for Wales relating to the communication skills of people with learning difficulties and disabilities, as set out in the protocol in health gain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  An exercise to provide a range of information relating to individuals with a mental handicap is planned for later this year.

  Red Squirrels
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by county the current estimate of the red squirrel population; and what were the figures(a) five years and (b) 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 21 June 1994,Official Report, column 103.

  South Gwynedd Enterprise Zone
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made with a view to securing enterprise zone status for the Trawsfynydd-Blaenau Ffestiniog travel-to-work area in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The South Gwynedd partnership is working up a case for an enterprise zone in that area.

  Sheep Scab
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many representations he has received on the proposed re-introduction of compulsory sheep dipping; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many representations he has received during the last 12 months on the subject of sheep scab; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received numerous representations. Sheep scab is a disease which can be controlled by individual farmers, who are aware of the preventive measures and procedures needed to deal with it. The Government have no plans to reintroduce controls. The Government propose to carry out a publicity campaign during the autumn to encourage farmers to treat their sheep. We shall be stepping up our efforts to ensure that unfit animals are not presented for sale by increasing the official veterinary presence at markets.

  Minority Languages Treaty
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when it is expected that Her Majesty's Government will be a signatory to the European Union's treaty on minority languages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government need fully to consider all the implications of signing the Council of Europe's European charter on regional and minority languages, and no decision has yet been reached. So far, fewer than half of the Council's member states have become signatories.

  Agricultural Tenancy Reform
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received in favour of agricultural tenancy reform; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received four representations in favour of agricultural tenancy reform.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the representations he has received on the subject of the proposed reform regarding agricultural tenancies were in favour of a statutory minimum period and how many were in favour of total contractual freedom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received three representations on the subject of agricultural tenancy reform which were in favour of minimum period tenancies and four representations which were in favour of total contractual freedom.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what guidelines will be issued to the Staff Commission for Wales to ensure equity and parity between existing employees of county councils and district or borough councils; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what criteria will be employed by the Staff Commission for Wales in determining which members of staff should not transfer from existing to new local authorities under the Local Government (Wales) Bill [Lords]; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what guidelines will be issued to protect the employment prospects of those middle management who may be the subject of prior consideration under the staffing provisions of the Local Government (Wales) Bill [Lords]; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend will issue guidance to the Staff Commission after Royal Assent to the Local Government (Wales) Bill(Lords). This will deal, among other things, with staff transfer arrangements, prior consideration, and equality of treatment of county and district staff. The draft guidance issued on 21 April and circulated to all members of Standing Committee A has prompted many representations which are being considered.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State undertook on 16 June to write to the hon. Member on a number of staffing matters. He will do so shortly, and will place a copy of his letter in the Library of the House.

  Infertility
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what provision is made for infertility investigation in the Clwyd health authority area by the Welsh Office;

  (2) what is the provision for infertility treatment in Clwyd health authority.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The provision for infertility investigation and treatment is a matter for Clwyd health authority, which will take into account need, competing demands and available resources.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if Clwyd health authority has sought advice from the Welsh Office as to the most cost-effective and cost-efficient means of providing for infertility investigation and treatment in its area.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No.

  Laser Treatment
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the centres providing laser treatment under the national health service for short sight and astigmatism.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The use of lasers to treat short sight and other sight problems is being evaluated. Currently, there are no NHS centres in Wales providing this treatment.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what revisions he intends to make to his programme of market testing.
  195
  Mr. Redwood
  The revised programme, which runs from October 1993 until September 1996, covers activities involving at least 1,500 posts and valued in excess of £20 million, compared with the previous programme total of 300 posts and £5 million. The programme includes the following:Welsh Office: Typing Services
  Records Management Services
  Architects and Surveyors Services
  Activities within Cadw
  National Museum of Wales: Warding function
  Sports Council for Wales: Activities at Plas Menai and the Welsh Institute for Sport
  Non medical activities within the Welsh Health Common Services Authority
  The Careers Service in Wales

  Cancer
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many cases of cancers of all types per 100,000 head of population there have been in Wales in each year since 1970;

  (2) how many cases of bone cancer per 100,000 head of population there have been in Wales in each year since 1970.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 25 May 1994]: Complete data on cancer registrations in Wales are not available prior to 1974. The information available is given in the following table.

  Cancer Registrations: Rate per 100,000 population1

  Bone Cancers 2(ICD(9)170)

  All Cancers (ICD(9)140–208)

  1974

  1·8

  399·8

  1975

  1·5

  417·7

  1976

  1·3

  408·1

  1977

  1·5

  417·9

  1978

  2·3

  435·8

  1979

  2·5

  443·3

  1980

  2·1

  445·8

  1981

  1·7

  449·3

  19823

  1 9

  452·1

  1983

  2·1

  489·2

  1984

  2·8

  513·5

  1985

  2·5

  528·1

  1986

  2·8

  541·8

  1987

  2·6

  537·4

  1988

  2·2

  552·2

  19894

  1·8

  536·6

  1Registration of primary growth site.

  2May include a number of cases where the cancer was recorded as a primary growth but was secondary.

  3Data for this year may be under-recorded due to industrial action in medical records departments at that time.

  4Provisional

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Listed Underground Stations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list to date the London underground stations that have been granted grade II listed status as buildings of special architectural or historic interest; and for which stations applications are still pending.

  Mr. Brooke
  The following London underground stations have been listed in grade II:
  196 Acton Town, Arnos Grove, Baker Street, Balham, Barkingside, Baron's Court, Bow Road, Chiswick Park, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Cockfosters, Collier's Wood, Earl's Court, Ealing Common, Eastcote, East Finchley, Farringdon, Fulham Broadway, Gloucester Road, Great Portland Street, Holloway Road, Hounslow West, Kennington, Kilburn Park, Loughton, Maida Vale, Moorgate, Mornington Crescent, Northfields, Notting Hill Gate, Oakwood, Ongar, Osterley, Park Royal, Piccadilly Circus, Rayners Lane, St. James's Park, Southgate, South Wimbledon, Sudbury Hill, Sudbury Town, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Turnpike Lane, Uxbridge, Wapping (Brunel's tunnel entrance and stairways from platform to street).
  There are no outstanding applications for the listing of any other London underground stations.

  British Broadcasting Corporation
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage for what purposes the British Broadcasting Corporation has been authorised to broadcast on the 198 KHz frequency; when this authorisation expires or comes up for renewal; and what undertakings or justification the BBC has given regarding its programming policy for broadcasts using this frequency.

  Mr. Brooke
  It is for the BBC to decide what programmes to broadcast on the frequencies made available to it for services in the United Kingdom, under its present royal charter and licence and agreement, which expire on 31 December 1996.

HEALTH

  Primary and Secondary Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on the effect on the need for hospital beds of expanding primary care;

  (2) what evidence and research her Department has examined on the relationship between the levels of primary and secondary care services.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Developments in primary care are only one of the ways in which we can move services closer to the patient's home. These, together with clinical advances leading to shorter lengths of hospital stay and higher rates of day cases, have a significant impact on the number of in-patient beds required. Ultimately, it is for local health authorities, taking account of all these factors and the views of local people, to assess the level of services needed to meet the requirements in their area and to negotiate appropriate provision. We will be examining the changing pattern of service provision to ensure that patients continue to receive effective and high-quality care.

  GP Payments
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 14 June Official Report, column 376, whether the payments to GPs for out-of-hours service are made from (a) family health services authorities cash-limited funds or (b) other funds; and in respect of what expenditure such payments are made.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The "Statement of Fees and Allowances", copies of which are available in the Library, sets out the conditions for payments to be made to general practitioners from both cash-limited funds and other funds.
  197
  Payments are made for a wide range of expenditure, including those associated with providing out-of-hours services.

  Civil Servants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average salary of Department of Health civil servants; what is the average salary of the best-paid 20 per cent.; and if she will list the grades and numbers of staff at each grade in her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  The average salary of the Department of Health staff, excluding agency and youth treatment service staff, as at 1 May 1994, is £22,365, and the average salary of the best paid 20 per cent. of these staff at the same date is £40,216. Departmental grades and numbers of staff at each grade are shown in the table.

  Details of the grades and numbers of staff in the Department of Health and its agencies

  Number in grades (whole-time equivalents)

  Grades

  Central department

  Agencies and youth Treatment service

  Grade 1

  1·00

  —

  Grade 1A

  2·00

  —

  Unified Grade 2

  9·00

  —

  Unified Grade 3

  23·60

  2·00

  Unified Grade 4

  5·50

  3·00

  Principal Medical Officer

  15·00

  2·00

  Deputy Chief Nursing Officer

  1·60

  —

  Deputy Chief Inspector SSI

  2·00

  —

  Unified Grade 5

  86·98

  8·00

  Senior Medical Officer

  60·50

  28·00

  Senior Dental Officer

  3·00

  —

  Principal Nursing Officer

  3·00

  —

  Assistant Chief Inspector SSI

  16·00

  —

  Unified Grade 6

  57·58

  20·00

  Medical Officer

  1·60

  2·00

  Nursing Officer

  35·10

  —

  Dental Officer

  4·00

  —

  Senior Principal Research Officer

  2·00

  —

  Senior Pharmaceutical Officer

  0·00

  10·00

  Unified Grade 7

  320·83

  51·50

  Principal Pharmaceutical Officer

  9·00

  49·00

  Inspector SSI

  107·00

  —

  Principal Research Officer

  3·75

  —

  Principal Scientific Officer

  11·50

  7·00

  Principal Professional and Technology Officer

  20·50

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  200·31

  28·00

  Senior Scientific Officer

  21·60

  3·00

  Senior Professional and Technology Officer

  40·00

  14·00

  Pharmaceutical Officer 1

  12·00

  17·00

  Senior Librarian

  5·00

  —

  Senior Information Officer

  10·00

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  484·24

  58·00

  Higher Executive Officer (D)

  18·00

  —

  Higher Scientific Officer

  17

  22·00

  Higher Professional and Technology Officer

  27·50

  6·00

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  10·00

  —

  Senior Economic Assistant

  2·00

  —

  Librarian

  14·50

  1·00

  Information Officer

  16·00

  —

  Pharmaceutical Officer 2

  0·00

  7·00

  Executive Officer

  569·98

  151·22

  Administrative Trainee

  4·00

  —

  Scientific Officer

  11·00

  18·00

  Professional and Technology Officer

  2·00

  —

  Assistant Statistician

  9·60

  —

  Economic Assistant

  3·00

  —

  Assistant Librarian

  9·00

  1·00

  198

  Number in grades (whole-time equivalents)

  Grades

  Central department

  Agencies and youth Treatment service

  Assistant Information Officer

  4·00

  —

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  1·00

  5·00

  Administrative Officer

  477·03

  306·93

  Administrative Assistant

  161·70

  113·89

  Sandwich Student

  1·00

  —

  Laboratory Technician

  1·50

  —

  Senior Personal Secretary

  66·50

  5·00

  Personal Secretary

  247·79

  42·51

  Chief Typing Manager

  4·00

  —

  Typing Manager

  11·16

  2·00

  Typist

  99·36

  22·24

  Support Manager 2

  0·00

  1·00

  Support Manager 3

  8·00

  1·00

  Support Grade Band 1

  21·00

  5·00

  Support Grade Band 2

  92·10

  45·16

  Youth Treatment Service Care Staff

  0·00

  143·50

  Youth Treatment Service Industrial Staff

  0·00

  23·50

  Totals

  3,484·91

  1,255·45

  Note: Figures above are Staff in Post as at 1 May 1994.

  Stillbirths
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she has taken to reduce the number of stillbirths as a result of obstetric cholestasis.

  Mr. Sackville
  Following discussions with Department of Health officials, the newsletter of the President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and also that of the Royal College of Midwives have carried items on obstetric cholestasis. The revised edition of the Health Education Authority's "Pregnancy Book" will also carry a reference to obstetric cholestasis.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stillbirths there were in each of the five most recent years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of stillbirths registered in England and Wales by year of occurrence for the period 1988–92 are shown in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1988

  3,382

  1989

  3,236

  1990

  3,256

  1991

  3,254

  1992

  13,160

  1On 1 October 1992 the legal definition of a stillbirth was altered from baby born dead after 28 completed weeks gestation or more to one born dead after 24 completed weeks gestation or more. Between 1 October and 31 December 1992 there were 216 stillbirths of 24–27 weeks gestation. these are included in the 1992 total.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list for each local authority in England(a) the total number of children in foster care and (b) the total number of children in residential care homes; and if she will make a statement;
  199
  (2) if she will list the national average cost for residential child care and for foster care, and for each local authority in England (a) the average unit costs for residential child care and (b) the average unit cost for foster care; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the numbers of children looked after in residential accommodation and in foster placements at 31 March 1992 and the estimated weekly costs per child, from the publication "Key Indicators of Local Authority Social Services", will be placed in the Library. Care is needed in interpreting the figures because accounting practices vary between local authorities.

  NHS Trusts
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has in relation to practising general practitioners, fundholders and non-fundholders, being employed by provider units.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Guidance TEL 94(1), copies of which are available in the Library, has been issued on the appointment of general practitioners as executive directors to the boards of national health service trusts.

  Diphtheria
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by year for the last five years, and by regional health authority, the number of cases of diphtheria reported in the age groups(a) under 10 years, (b) 10 to 19 years and (c) 20 years and over.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of cases reported to Office of Population Censuses and Surveys of diphtheria, by Regional Health Authority 1988–1992

  RHA

  Number of cases

  Age of patient

  1988

  Yorkshire

  1

  9

  1989

  North East Thames

  1

  11

  North West Thames

  1

  21

  1990

  North West Thames

  1

  19

  North Western

  1

  19

  Allocations for 1993–94

  Allocations for 1994–95

  Local authority

  AIDS support grant £

  Healthy Alliances scheme £

  AIDS support grant £

  Healthy Alliances scheme £

  AIDS allocations to local authorities in Yorkshire

  Bradford

  0

  150,000

  71,000

  4,000

  Calderdale

  0

  26,000

  15,000

  3,000

  Humberside

  0

  62,000

  32,000

  6,000

  Kikrlees

  0

  39,000

  27,000

  5,000

  Leeds

  267,000

  0

  101,000

  19,000

  North Yorkshire

  0

  31,000

  54,000

  10,000

  Wakefield

  0

  40,000

  15,000

  3,000

  AIDS allocations to local authorities in Trent

  Barnsley

  0

  18,000

  10,000

  7,000

  Derbyshire

  0

  31,000

  27,000

  5,000

  Doncaster

  0

  31,000

  10,000

  7,000

  Leicestershire

  115,000

  0

  60,000

  8,000

  Lincolnshire

  0

  31,000

  21,000

  4,000

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  48,000

  74,000

  14,000

  Rotherham

  0

  31,000

  10,000

  7,000

  Sheffield

  0

  86,000

  32,000

  6,000

  200

  RHA

  Number of cases

  Age of patient

  1991

  North East Thames

  1

  7

  South West Thames

  1

  26

  1992

  Northern

  1

  15

  Yorkshire

  1

  6

  East Anglia

  2

  36 and 37

  North West Thames

  2

  13 and 27

  South Western

  2

  25 and 41

  AIDS
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list by regional health authority the allocations made to local authorities in the Yorkshire region for AIDS support in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 ; and what was the basis of allocations to such authorities in each of these years;

  (2) if she will list by regional health authority what allocations were made to local authorities in the Trent region for AIDS support in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what was the basis of allocation to such authorities in each of these years.

  Mr. Sackville
  For 1993–94, AIDS support grant allocations were made on the basis of open-ended bids submitted by local authorities. Local authorities not receiving AIDS support grant were given money under the Healthy Alliances scheme for HIV prevention and joint working with health authorities.

  For 1994–95 local authorities were invited to submit expenditure plans against indicative allocations of both AIDS support grant and Healthy Alliances moneys. These allocations were based on confidential information available for the first time and supplied to the Department by the Public Health Laboratory Service on the distribution of AIDS cases by local authority area. Where this formula would mean a reduction in grant in 1994–95, local authorities were advised that there might, in exceptional circumstances, be some scope to adjust allocations on a transitional basis and that applications for additional grant could be made.

  The information requested for the Yorkshire and Trent regions is shown in the table:

  Rural Community Hospitals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority she attaches to rural community hospitals as part of the care in the community initiative and the NHS reforms.

  Mr. Bowis
  Both the new community care arrangements and national health service reforms have emphasised that NHS services should be responsive to patient needs. Community hospitals have a useful role to play in some areas in providing a limited range of services to meet local needs.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the names of the persons, together with any relevant experience or qualifications, who have been appointed to the new London ambulance service committee, the terms of reference of that committee, its quorum, to whom it is accountable and if its minutes and agenda will be published; and what financial functions it will perform.

  Mr. Sackville
  The London ambulance service committee is a sub-committee of South Thames regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Chris Spry, general manager of the authority, for details.

  Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital admissions have been cancelled on more than two occasions within the Wandsworth health authority in each of the last three years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a matter for Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority. The hon. Member may wish to write to Mr. Harry Cowd, chairman of the authority, for details.

  Child Health Surveillance
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of health authorities have made an assessment of child health surveillance needs in their area.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information will be available by the end of the year, following research commissioned by the Department.

  Diabetics (Disposable Needles)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received concerning the availability of Novofine disposable needles used by diabetics; what is her estimate of their use where available; and what response she has made to representations;

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has received during the last 12 months on the subject of the free provision of syringe needle attachments to the novapen used to treat diabetes; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have continued to receive representations about the availability of disposable needles 202
  on prescription. Disposable needles must take their place alongside the many other competing claims for national health service funding. The Department does not attempt to collect centrally information about needles purchased privately by diabetics.

  NHS Drugs Bill
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage increase in the NHS drugs bill, compared with the previous year, for each year since 1987; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  Annual increase in cost of National Health Service drugs

  Year

  Percentage increase

  1987–88

  11·3

  1988–89

  12·5

  1989–90

  10·9

  1990–91

  7·8

  1991–92

  14·5

  1992–93

  12·6

  Fluorosis
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by regional health authority for the last five years, the number of cases of fluorosis that have been reported; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Clinical Standards
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work has so far been undertaken by the clinical standards advisory group; what further work is planned; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The group's first report "Access to and Availability of Specialist Services" was published with a Government response in July 1993, copies of which are available in the Library. Further reports on "Diabetes" and "Standards of Clinical Care for Patients Admitted Urgently or as Emergencies" will be published shortly. Reports on "Maternity Services—Women in Normal Labour" and "Back Pain" will be published later this year. The group continues work on reports on "Chronic Schizophrenia", "Dental Anaesthesia" and "Care of the Elderly" for publication next year.

  Capitation Allowances
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a report on weighted capitation allocation will be published; and what is her policy on changes in the allocation formula for hospital and community health services for 1995–96.

  Mr. Sackville
  The review of weighted capitation is still taking place.

  Patient Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department intends to take action to ensure that staff who raise legitimate concerns about patient care are not bullied into leaving their posts by managers.
  203
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The guidance—EL(90)51—makes it clear that employees who express views about health care issues in accordance with this guidance are not to be penalised in any way for doing so. A copy is available in the Library.

  The responsibility for introducing local procedures to handle such staff concerns lies with each national health service employer.

  Health Authorities
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many members of district health authorities are also members of(a) county councils, (b) district councils, (c) London borough councils and (d) parish or town councils;

  (2) how many members of family health service authorities are also members of (a) county councils, (b) district councils, (c) London borough councils and (d) parish or town councils;

  (3) how many members of special health authorities are also members of (a) county councils, (b) district councils, (c) London borough councils and (d) parish or town councils;

  (4) how many members of regional health authorities are also (a) members of county councils, (b) district councils, (c) London borough councils and (d) parish or town councils;

  (5) how many members of boards of NHS trusts are also (a) members of county councils, (b) district councils, (c) London borough councils and (d) parish or town councils.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Community Care Services
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the criteria for independence of potential contractors for community care services which must be met before an organisation is eligible for special transitional grant.

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authorities are required to spend at least 85 per cent. of the Social Security transfer element of the special transitional grant for 1994–95 on community care services provided by the independent sector. The conditions attached to the grant define independent sector expenditure as that amount spent by a local authority on community care services which they arrange to be provided by individuals who are not employed by any local authority under a contract of service or by organisations which are not owned, managed or controlled by any local authority or a combination of local authorities.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precepts of the citizens charter govern the disclosure by regional health authorities of the sale price of hospitals.

  Mr. Sackville
  Details of individual land and property sales are commercially sensitive and exempt from disclosure.

  Mortality Rates
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by district health authority the figures for maternal mortality for each of the last two years for which statistics are available.

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

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting for major heart surgery in hospitals in the Greater London area as of 14 April.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on waiting times is collected by specialty, district health authority and national health service trust. This information is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Medical Records
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will require hospitals to consult with the patients concerned prior to the destruction of their medical records after the required minimum period of eight years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  It would be impractical to require hospitals to trace and consult all patients before the destruction of their personal health records.

  The decision as to how long records should be kept is a matter for the hospital concerned, in consultation with health professionals. The minimum periods recommended in departmental guidance HC(89)20 and HSG(94)11, take account of a number of factors, including the potential need for research purposes, the possibility of complaints by patients and the time limits for bringing action in the courts. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Hand Driers
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has made to the report on hot-air hand driers and paper towels published on 29 March by the University of Westminster.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. This is a matter for local management.

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will publish the Government's response to the Health Select Committee's Report. "Better off in the Community? The Case of People who are Seriously Mentally Ill", HC, 1993–94, 102.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government's response, Cm 2588, has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Ashworth Special Hospital
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) patients and (b) psychiatrists there were at Ashworth special hospital in June 1990 and June 1994.
  205
  Mr. Bowis
  The information is as follows:

  (a) 652 and 588.

  (b) 22 and 251.

  1This figure does not include one honorary consultant and two honorary registrars.

  Carers
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children under the age of 18 years are involved in the part or full-time care of(a) elderly relatives, (b) people with disabilities and (c) other children for the last 10 years for which figures are available;

  (2) how many (a) women and (b) men became involved in the provision of part or full-time care after retirement age;

  (3) how many women between the ages of 60 and 65 years became involved in the provision of part or full-time care.

  Mr. Bowis
  I am not aware of any research into these areas.

  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of(a) women, (b) men and (c) all adults, between the ages of 18 and 65 years are involved in the full-time care of children under five years on a (i) voluntary and (ii) paid basis for the last 10 years for which figures are available;

  (2) what percentage of (a) women, (b) men and (c) all adults, between the ages of 18 and 65 years are involved in the part-time care of children under five years on a (i) voluntary and (ii) paid basis for the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Bowis
  The available information is shown in the Department of Education statistical bulletin 11/93 "Pupils under 5 Years of Age in Schools in England—January 1993" and "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March 1993, England". Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

  GP Guidelines (Dispensing of Medicines)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has given to GPs who are permitted to provide patients with pharmaceutical services, on the training or qualifications of staff delegated to dispense medicines in their surgeries.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Gammaglobulin
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she takes to ensure that the availability of the vaccine Gammaglobulin is uniform throughout the country; and how many cases of shortfall have been reported to her Department in the last two years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Demand for Gammaglobulin is normally met by manufacturers. The Department is aware 206
  of two reports since July 1993 of shortages which were the result of supply problems experienced by manufacturers. The Department is in regular contact with the manufacturers and is continuing to monitor the situation.

  Generic Drugs
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the generic drugs prescribed by general medical practitioners which have been tested and found to be qualitatively inferior to the branded products.

  Mr. Sackville
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Medicines Control Agency under its chief executive, Dr. K. H. Jones. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dr. K. Jones to Mr. Gareth Wardell, dated 22 June 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning generic drugs prescribed by general medical practitioners which have been tested and found to be of inferior quality when compared to branded products from innovator companies.
  The Medicines Control Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Health responsible for safeguarding public health by licensing medicines and monitoring adverse reaction to drugs.
  Generic medicinal products are assessed for safety, quality and efficacy by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) in the same way as innovator products before being granted a product licence. As part of the assessment the applicant is required to provide data showing that the generic product is equivalent or essentially similar to the innovator product.
  The MCA has investigated specific complaints about the quality of medicines products by generic companies and found them to be largely unsubstantiated.
  The Medicines Testing Scheme (MTS) monitors the quality of licensed medicinal products in the UK by obtaining samples of both generic and innovator products and testing them for compliance with their registered specifications. Comparison of results has not found a higher proportion of deficiencies in generic products when compared with innovator products. This finding is supported by reports of defective medicines to the Defective Medicines Report Centre which are no greater for generic than for innovator products.
  Whilst deficiencies do occasionally occur in both generic and innovator products, there is no evidence from the results of testing carried out by the MTS over the past two years to suggest that generic medicines are of inferior quality compared with the equivalent innovator products.

TREASURY

  Financial Statistics
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the total taxation levied by the Government in each year since 1964 in real terms, (b) the total annual Government expenditure for each of those years in real terms and (c) the annual inflation rate for each year since 1964.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  207

  Government Taxes and Expenditure

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Year

  Total taxes and NICs

  GGE (excluding pps)

  Nominal (£ billion)

  Real (£ billion 1990–91)

  Nominal (£ billion)

  Real (£ billion 1990–91)

  GDP deflator inflation (per cent.)

  1964–65

  10·1

  92·6

  12·3

  112·9

  4·5

  1965–66

  11·4

  100·2

  13·6

  119·2

  4·8

  1966–67

  12·4

  104·6

  15·1

  127·0

  4·2

  1967–68

  13·7

  11·22

  17·5

  143·0

  2·9

  1968–69

  15·7

  122·2

  18·2

  141·6

  5·1

  1969–70

  17·7

  130·8

  19·3

  142·7

  5·2

  1970–71

  19·3

  131·9

  21·6

  147·5

  8·2

  1971–72

  20·6

  128·7

  24·4

  152·7

  9·1

  1972–73

  21·9

  126·6

  27·6

  159·7

  8·2

  1973–74

  24·9

  134·8

  32

  173·2

  6·9

  1974–75

  31·8

  144·0

  42·9

  194·1

  19·6

  1975–76

  40·1

  144·5

  53·8

  194·1

  25·4

  1976–77

  46·3

  147·3

  59·6

  189·4

  13·5

  1977–78

  52·3

  146·3

  64·4

  180·2

  13·6

  1978–79

  58·6

  147·4

  75

  188·7

  11·2

  1979–80

  72·8

  157·0

  90·4

  194·9

  16·7

  1980–81

  85·9

  156·5

  108·8

  198·2

  18·3

  1981–82

  102·2

  169·7

  121

  201·0

  9 7

  1982–83

  110·6

  171·6

  133·1

  206·4

  7·1

  1983–84

  118·9

  176·2

  141·6

  209·9

  4·6

  1984–85

  129·3

  182·4

  152·8

  215·6

  5·0

  1985–86

  139·3

  186·2

  11·2

  21·5

  5·5

  1986–87

  147·1

  191·1

  169·3

  219·9

  2·9

  1987–88

  163·1

  201·2

  178·4

  220·0

  5·3

  1988–89

  178·0

  205·7

  186·9

  216·0

  6·7

  1989–90

  191·4

  206·8

  205

  221·5

  7·0

  1990–91

  205·4

  205·4

  223·5

  223·5

  8·1

  1991–92

  210·8

  198·3

  244·1

  229·6

  6·3

  1992–93

  208·7

  189·0

  269·2

  243·7

  3·9

  1993–94

  215·6

  189·4

  277

  243·3

  3·3

  Notes:

  Columns 1,2 Nominal and Real tax burden=Taxes on income+taxes on capital+taxes on expenditure+social security contributions+rates/community charge/council tax+royalties.

  Columns 3,4 Nominal and Real general government expenditure excluding privatisation proceeds.

  Column 5 growth rate in GDP deflator series, which is used to deflate the Nominal series in columns 1 and 2.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the issue of the harmonisation of EU excise duties on alcohol at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.

  Sir John Cope
  The issue of excise duties on alcohol will be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Council of Economic and Finance Ministers when studies being undertaken by the Commission in accordance with article 8 of Council directive 92/84/EEC have been completed. This may be in time for the next meeting, but if not it will be raised at a later meeting.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to introduce additional measures to prevent illegal importation of alcohol for resale;

  (2) if he will initiate a review of measures which are taken in order to prevent the illegal importation of alcohol for resale.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs has deployed additional staff and taken other measures to counter the threat posed by the illegal importation of alcohol for resale. Customs is continually reviewing its methods and effectiveness in tackling this issue.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to harmonise United Kingdom excise duties on alcohol with those in the rest of the EC.
  208
  Sir John Cope
  Member states should be free to set the rates that they feel are appropriate to their own particular circumstances, subject only to the agreed minimum rates. That was the basis of the agreement reached by all member states at ECOFIN on 19 October 1992.

  Children
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of gross domestic product is currently spent on children aged under six.

  Mr. Nelson
  This information is not available.

  Personal Investment Authority
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Personal Investment Authority.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Securities and Investments Board is today announcing that it has decided to recognise the Personal Investment Authority as a self-regulating organisation, and as a self-regulating organisation for friendly societies under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  The Treasury has given SIB leave under the FSA to recognise the PIA. That decision was reached after receiving two reports from the Director General of Fair Trading. Both reports concluded that the rules and guidance submitted by the PIA do not, and are not intended nor are likely to have, significantly anti-competitive effects. Having considered the DGFT's report, I have

  209
  concluded that there is no impediment to the Treasury giving the leave sought by SIB. The DTI and the Friendly Societies Commission, as the prudential regulators for insurance companies and friendly societies respectively, have also certified that they are satisfied that the PIA may be recognised.

  The PIA will regulate and supervise all types of retail financial services business covered by the FSA. This includes selling of life insurance and regulated collective investment schemes as well as independent financial advice. The PIA will aim for high standards of regulatory compliance so as to improve investor protection. It will start work as a regulator on 18 July.

  SIB is today also giving notice of the revocation of recognition of two existing regulators, the Financial Intermediaries Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association, and the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation. The PIA will cover the parts of business which those SROs now regulate and SIB has concluded that it is undesirable for those SROs to continue to operate now that the PIA is to be recognised.

  Brewing Industry (Cross Channel Trade)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the effect upon British brewers of cross channel trading.

  Sir John Cope
  I have received a number of representations on this subject which have mostly been made public. I have also noted other public statements not specifically sent to us.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the results of his review of legislation affecting building societies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  I hope to announce the results of this review shortly.

  Bank Notes (Demand)
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has about the effects on the demand for bank notes of the rise in part-time employment.

  Mr. Nelson
  It is not possible to assess whether there is any effect of part-time employment on the demand for bank notes.

  Inland Revenue Requirements
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures he has in place to ensure that employers paying their employees in cash comply with Inland Revenue requirements for the deduction of tax and national insurance contributions.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The duties of employers to deduct tax and national insurance contributions are set out in regulations and the Inland Revenue makes every effort through penalties, interest and collection procedures to pursue such deductions if they are not paid.

  Top-rate Taxpayers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the number of top rate taxpayers in(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1994–95, giving estimates where necessary (i) in absolute terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total number of income taxpayers and also the change as between 1989–90 and 1994–95 (1) in absolute terms and (2) as a percentage change.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: The information is as follows:

  1989–90

  1994–95

  Number of higher rate taxpayers (thousands)

  11,500

  2,300

  Higher rate taxpayers as a percentage of total individuals paying income tax

  6

  9

  Change in higher rate taxpayers between 1989–90 and 1994–95

  (Thousands) 800

  (Per cent.) 53

  1Prior to independent taxation married couples are treated as one taxpayer.

  Brewing Industry
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Couchman) of 16 May,Official Report, column 295, if he will make a statement about the information on the regional distribution of duty-paid imports of beer given to him by the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, and the conclusions he has drawn from this information.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 21 June 1994]: Individuals from anywhere in the United Kingdom may purchase duty-paid beer for their own use in other member states of the European Union. We have not sought to verify information on the regional distribution of legal duty-paid imports on beer compiled by the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, although we have noted the conclusions.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Couchman) of 16 May,Official Report, column 295, if he will make a further statement on the involvement of organised crime in the illegal sale of duty-paid imports of beer.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 21 June 1994]: There is no evidence of large-scale organised crime being involved so far in this illegal activity. Anyone who has evidence of such activity should contact Customs and Excise.

  Defence Costs Study
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs will be cut as a result of the defence costs studies; and when implementation of these will begin.

  Mr. Aitken
  No final decisions have been taken on the recommendations of the defence costs study and it is not possible therefore to say how large a reduction in employment will result. Where proposals would affect employment, the normal consultation procedures will be followed before final decisions are reached. Implementation will begin once decisions are taken.
  211
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the timetable for cuts in the defence budget being considered under the defence costs studies will allow for consultation with trade unions and local and regional authorities.

  Mr. Aitken
  Proposals emerging from the defence costs study will be subject to consultation with the trade unions in the normal manner and will also be notified to other interested parties.

  RAF No. 1312 flight
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many crews and aircraft are currently deployed with No. 1312 Flight Royal Air Force; and what changes have been made to these force levels since 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are three crews and two Hercules C-Mark 1 Ks currently deployed with No. 1312 Flight Royal Air Force. No changes have been made to these force levels since 1992.

  Low flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the hang-gliding site on Farleton fell, near Kendal, Cumbria, is marked as an avoidance area on the low-flying charts used by Royal Air Force aircrew; and what is the grid reference of the datum point of this site.

  Mr. Hanley
  The hang-gliding site at Farleton is not designated as an avoidance area. It is however, marked on military low-flying charts and is listed as a warning in the United Kingdom military low flying handbook. The grid reference is N54 42.04 W002 42.13 (SD 542800).

  Helicopters
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the Royal Air Force rules governing flight by helicopters not equipped for instrument flying into areas where the forecast or actual weather conditions are below visual flight rules minima.

  Mr. Hanley
  All RAF helicopters are equipped for instrument flying.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Chinook HC2 helicopter received full clearance from the controller aircraft for flight in instrument meteorological conditions.

  Mr. Hanley
  CA Release for the Chinook He Mk II aircraft type to fly in instrument meteorological conditions was issued on 9 November 1993.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the forecast weather conditions in the vicinity of Cape Nero, Italy, on 9 September 1993 as provided to the crew of the Royal Air Force Gazelle helicopter which crashed on that date.

  Mr. Hanley
  The weather forecast for the route between Forsinone, Italy and Dijon, France indicated a general cloud base of 2,000 ft with a visibility of 7 to 10 km reducing to 4 km in rain and mist with a small probability of thunderstorms.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the expected publication date of the 212
  report of the investigation into the collision between a Royal Air Force Tornado and a civilian helicopter over Cumbria on 23 June 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The air accident investigation branch of the Department of Transport published its report of this collision on 7 June 1994. A summary of the RAF board of inquiry will be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the administrative action taken against the crew of the Gazelle helicopter which crashed on 9 September 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not my Department's policy to reveal details of administrative action taken against RAF personnel involved in flying incidents, although action is taken wherever it is considered appropriate.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations, operating units and types of radar equipment forming the Falkland Islands air defence ground environment.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not our practice to release operational information of this nature.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many interceptions of aircraft apparently breaching the Bosnian no-fly zone have been made by Royal Air Force Tornado F3s during Operation Deny Flight; and if he will make a statement on the circumstances of each such interception.

  Mr. Hanley
  Operation Deny Flight is the NATO operation to monitor and enforce the air exclusion zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO's operational incident statistics for this task are not broken down by national aircraft, nor are separate records kept on the nature of each incident.

  Tornado (Navigation System)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Royal Air Force Tornado GR1 fleet is currently equipped with the NAVSTAR global positioning system.

  Mr. Aitken
  Of the 96 established aircraft and eight in-use reserves on front-line Tornado GR1 squadrons, 43 aircraft are currently GPS-capable. For the future, we plan to integrate GPS equipment to all aircraft upgraded under the Tornado MLU programme.

  Chile (Military Equipment)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contacts or meetings Ministers or officials of his Department, or the Defence Exports Sales Organisation, had with General Pinochet of Chile in regard to military equipment sales during his recent visit.

  Mr. Aitken
  None.

  RAF Brize Norton
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reasons soldiers are required to go to South Cerney, near Cirencester, when they are flying from RAF Brize Norton;

  (2) how long, on average, soldiers have to report to South Cerney, near Cirencester, before their flight from RAF Brize Norton.

  Mr. Hanley
  South Cerney is the air mounting centre for United Kingdom-based service units deploying on operations and exercises. It is centrally placed between the RAF's two main air transport bases of RAF Brize Norton and RAF Lyneham and offers facilities not available at either, such as an operations suite, briefing rooms and sufficient holding areas for men and equipment up to brigade size.

  Passengers flying from RAF Brize Norton on operations and exercises report to South Cerney an average of four hours before their estimated departure. This allows time for processing, baggage checks, feeding and travel to the airfield.

  Policy Study
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that implementation of the Blelloch report will not lead to a reduction in the staffing of the newly formed MOD Guard Service.

  Mr. Hanley
  Sir John Blelloch's work is concerned with the MOD police and his review which was announced on 15 December,Official Report, column 739, has yet to report. The report which he submitted as part of "Front Line First" is being considered in conjunction with other defence costs study reports, including one on the general subject of security. We hope to make an announcement on the study as a whole, including our proposals for implementation, before the summer recess.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) of 13 May,Official Report, column 288, if anti-personnel mines come into the category of inhumane weapons covered by the United Nations inhumane weapons convention.

  Mr. Aitken
  The United Nations weaponry convention governs the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects. Protocol II of the convention contains prohibitions and restrictions on the use of mines, booby traps and other devices. The use of anti-personnel mines would be covered by this protocol.

  Research Funding
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list universities and former polytechnics at which the Ministry of Defence has funded research in the last five years.

  Mr. Aitken
  I am arranging for the list placed in the Library of the House in May 1992 to be updated to reflect changes since then.
  214
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has considered changing his policy on making public details of research projects funded by the Ministry in universities.

  Mr. Aitken
  It has been and remains our consistent policy not to publish such details.

  Low-Flying Training, Goose Bay
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft to carry out low-flying training at Canadian forces base Goose Bay.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are currently no plans to deploy Harrier GR7s to Goose bay for low-flying training. It is, however, possible that Harrier GR7s while staging through Goose bay en route to other North American detachment locations might conduct some low-flying training should the opportunity arise.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year the last Royal Air Force Vulcan deployment to Canadian forces base Goose bay for low-level training took place.

  Mr. Hanley
  In 1982.

  Cambridge Military Hospital
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the. Secretary of State for Defence whether the restrictions on admissions to the Cambridge military hospital in Aldershot, Hampshire have yet been lifted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Cambridge military hospital, Aldershot restricted routine in-patient admissions from 16 to 26 May as a precautionary measure following the identification among new patients of the Methicillinresistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The GPs of all patients affected by cancellation of appointments were notified of the reasons behind this restriction, which had the approval of the local NHS consultant in communicable disease control. Neighbouring hospitals were also kept informed of the situation.

  The MRSA bacteria was systematically cleared from the hospital and no patients or staff developed any symptoms of MRSA infection. The hospital reopened for routine and emergency admissions from noon on 25 May and elective surgical lists resumed on 26 May 1994. The out-patients department and the maternity wing remained open throughout, while the accident and emergency department stayed open for out-patient cases and emergencies which, could not be safely transferred to other hospitals.

  F15E Aircraft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the report on the measurement of noise levels of the F15E aircraft is now complete; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library.

  Mr. Hanley
  The report is now complete and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Exercise Diver Mist
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the hon. Member for Don Valley may be sent a de-classified copy of the report evaluating the nuclear weapons accident Exercise Diver Mist held on 18 to 22 April in East Anglia, when it has been completed.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 25 April,Official Report, columns 84–85.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much advance warning was given to each of the civil and emergency authorities who participated in the Diver Mist nuclear weapons accident exercise on 18 to 22 April in East Anglia; and what is the significance of its title.

  Mr. Hanley
  Representatives of relevant emergency services and local authorities were formally involved in exercise planning from September 1993. The name of the exercise was, as normal, part of a randomly generated series and has no significance.

ENVIRONMENT

  Sewers
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average life expectancy of sewers which were constructed prior to the Water Act 1973.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is for the water company to determine whether a sewer requires replacement. I understand advances in repair and renovation techniques are having the effect of enabling sewers to continue in use after the date at which reconstruction would have been expected to have been required in earlier years.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the actual expenditure on sewerage infrastructure renewal for each water company for each year since 1989 and the total to date;

  (2) when he was informed of the £424 million accrued underspend of sewerage infrastructure renewal moneys in the water industry annual accounts;

  (3) if he will list chronologically the representations he has received on the requirements of infrastructure renewal in the water industry, indicating which responses to them have been made public;

  (4) what is the total accrued national infrastructure renewal charge to date shown in the water industry annual accounts for each water service company.

  Mr. Atkins
  In order to spread the cost to customers, the Secretaries of State decided at privatisation in 1989 to limit spending on infrastructure renewal in the short term and to build up a liability in the accounts to spend the money at a later date. The Director General of Water Services is responsible for monitoring water companies' spending on infrastructure renewal. Details of the industry's spending on infrastructure renewal are published each year in Ofwat's "Report on Capital Investment and Financial Performance of the Water Companies in England and Wales", copies of which have been placed in the Library. Information on individual 216
  companies' expenditure on infrastructure renewal can be obtained from the appointed business accounts which are available from the Ofwat library. Representations on infrastructure renewal in the water industry were received from the Severn Renovation Federation in 1993; the response was not made public, but the industry's spending plans have been in the public domain since 1989.

  Water Industry
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the assumption of reasonable return on capital as defined in the Water Industry Act 1991 for(a) the water supply companies and (b) the water service companies.

  Mr. Atkins
  When price limits were set by the Secretaries of State in 1989 they assumed that a reasonable return on capital would be:(a) a real return of 8 per cent. for most of the water supply companies, 8·5 per cent. for the smallest companies, and (b) a real return of 7 per cent. for the water service companies.

  The Director General of Water Services is currently considering the appropriate return on capital as part of his periodic review of price limits. In the consultation paper "Cost of Capital", published in 1991, he suggested that the appropriate range was between 5 and 6 per cent. He will announce the outcome of his review on 28 July 1994.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the land sale transactions he has approved by each water company,(a) since the Water Act 1989 and (b) since 1 February 1992.

  Mr. Atkins
  Details of such land sales are not registered with the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to water companies as to the proper procedures under section 10 of the Reservoirs Act 1975 for the appointment of an independent qualified civil engineer; and whether consideration can be given under these procedures to the appointment of former employees of the water company in question.

  Mr. Atkins
  DOE circular 5/85 set out general guidance on the operation of the Reservoirs Act 1975, including the appointment of qualified engineers. Section 10(9) of the Act requires that independent qualified engineers

  (a) shall not be in the employment of the reservoir undertaker otherwise than in a consultant capacity; and

  (b) shall not have been the engineer responsible for the reservoir or any addition to it as construction engineer, and shall not be connected with such an engineer as his partner, employer, employee or fellow employee in a civil engineering business.

  Housing
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the scope of his powers to allocate specific moneys to local authorities and housing associations to deal with the problems of Orlit, Whitsun-Fairhurst and other dwelling types with major structural defects; how much he has allocated to local authorities and housing associations in England to deal with these problems in each of the past 10 years; how many
  217
  houses classified as having major structural defencts have been dealt with due to central Government funding during the same period; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Section 569 of the Housing Act 1985 empowers the Secretary of State to contribute to expenses incurred by local authoriteis in assisting eligible owners of the 24 dwelling types which have been designated in England under section 528 of the Act. The Whitson-Fairhurst type has been designated in Scotland only. Contributions are payable on audited claims made by authorities in the year after the expenses were incurred. The table shows for each of the past 10 years:(a) the total number of dwellings dealt with, as reported by local authorities; (b) the Government's contributions to annual loan charges incurred by local authorities on dwellings dealt with before 1 April 1989; and (c) the capital grants made to authorities from 1 April 1990 on dwellings dealt with on or after 1 April 1989. Housing associations are not responsible for administering the scheme of assistance.

  (a) Dwellings dealt with, reported by local authorities

  (b) Contributions to annual loan charges incurred by local authorities £ million

  (c) Capital grants paid to local authorities from 1 April 1990

  1984–85

  162

  —

  —

  1985–86

  2,489

  0·003

  —

  1986–87

  2,909

  1·987

  —

  1987–88

  3,707

  4·870

  —

  1988–89

  3,837

  8·824

  —

  1989–90

  3,298

  16·363

  —

  1990–91

  2,843

  17·192

  54·544

  1991–92

  2,419

  16·621

  63·038

  1992–93

  1,523

  2·785

  54·305

  1993–94

  11,351

  132·631

  154·464

  1Provisional.

  Office Accommodation, Johnstone
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Property Services Agency has for the utilisation or disposal of the premises formerly and currently occupied by the Benefits Agency at Floors street, Johnstone; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Crown building, Floors street, Johnstone, is occupied by the Benefits Agency, which expects to be moving out once it has set up a new customer service point in the area. There are no other Government demands for this space and, as soon as the Benefits Agency has confirmed its intended date of vacation, this freehold property will be offered for sale on the open market.

  Royal Yacht Britannia
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what hire charge is being paid by the London Docklands development corporation for the hire of the royal yacht Britannia for its reception on 29 June; and what is the estimated additional cost of the actual reception.

  Sir George Young
  No hire charge is being paid by the London Docklands Development Corporation. The estimated additional cost of the reception is £3,500.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has consulted with social security Ministers about the recent CHAR report about the bare necessities, the experience of homeless people and the discretionary social fund.

  Sir George Young
  There has been no consultation at ministerial level about this report, which I understand that CHAR published on 15 June. However, my officials are in discussion with colleagues in the Department of Social Security on this and related matters.

  Urban Regeneration
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total amount of expenditure given for urban regeneration in the Greater London area; and if he will list the local authorities that have received funding and the amounts received.

  Mr. Baldry
  The total amount of expenditure given for urban regeneration in the Greater London area in the current year is £296·967 million. This amount is made up from the following programmes—estate action, urban programme, city challenge, task forces, housing action trusts, city grant, funding for the London Docklands development corporation and derelict land grant.

  Individual total amounts for each local authority are listed below:

  1994–95 expenditure provision for urban regeneration for London

  Borough

  Total (£ thousands)

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  Barnet

  450

  Bexley

  0

  Brent

  11,851

  Bromley

  0

  Camden

  4,330

  Croydon

  0

  Ealing

  2,000

  Enfield

  831

  Greenwich

  2,030

  Hackney

  18,921

  Hammersmith/Fulham

  4,834

  Haringey

  9,187

  Harrow

  0

  Havering

  0

  Hillingdon

  0

  Hounslow

  7,756

  Islington

  5,397

  Kensington/Chelsea

  9,876

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  Lambeth

  19,773

  Lewisham

  21,174

  Merton

  900

  Newham

  55,309

  Redbridge

  700

  Richmond

  500

  Southwark

  19,437

  Sutton

  64

  Tower Hamlets

  59,784

  Waltham Forest

  36,700

  Wandsworth

  963

  Westminster

  1,500

  Total

  1294,267

  Grand Total

  296,967

  1Plus 2,700 for Derelict Land Grant not broken down above on an individual borough basis.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 339, what is the precise content of the full contribution beyond 2000 for the United Kingdom's climate change programme to which he refers.

  Mr. Atkins
  Decisions on this have not yet been taken.

  Disabled People
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to encourage public sector landlords to provide disabled people with personal housing plans; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Decisions about the allocation of public sector housing are a matter for individual housing authorities, taking into account all their powers and duties under housing legislation. For people with community care needs, social services departments and housing authorities are asked to construct an individual's care plan with the objective of preserving or restoring non-institutional living as far as possible, and of securing the most appropriate and cost-effective package of care, housing and other services to meet the person's future needs.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce new building regulations and amend existing building regulations, to promote the development of barrier-free housing in terms of(a) new-build and (b) renovated or modernised properties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment intends, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Wales, to consult on a range of building regulation provisions which could be applied to the design of new dwellings for the benefit of disabled people. There are no plans to consider the application of such requirements to existing dwellings subject to renovation or modernisation.

  Timber
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make it his policy to resist any boycott or ban of any timber species used in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what action his Department is taking to ensure that no boycott or ban of any timber species is allowed to be specified in any building contracts that involve public funding;

  (3) whether it is current Government policy that no timber should be discriminated against on environmental grounds.

  Mr. Atkins
  In terms of trade between countries, the treaty of Rome requires that all matters be dealt with by the European Community as a whole. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is implemented within the Community under EC regulation 3626/82, controls and monitors international trade in many species of plants and animals, including some species of tree.

  As to materials within the United Kingdom, my Department is committed in its own green housekeeping
  220
  policy statement to encourage sustainable forest practices which maintain the biodiversity, productivity and ecological habitats of woodlands. This is reflected in our recently published guide for suppliers of goods and services to the Department, "Selling to DOE", which encourages suppliers to provide joinery, furniture and fittings manufactured only from wood produced from sustainably managed forests. There are no bans on any particular species.

  Home Improvements
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government will review the arrangements under which grant is paid to home improvement agencies before deciding whether to extend them beyond 1994–95.

  Sir George Young
  When we introduced the home improvement agency grant programme in 1991, we made it clear that the arrangements were for four years only in the first instance with any further decisions being taken following a review. We propose to carry out that review this year so that any changes considered necessary can take effect from April 1995. The review will need to consider issues such as the extent to which agencies have met their prime objective of helping people carry out building work to their home; the benefits of the service to both clients and practitioners—especially local authorities—and the need for any change in the nature or range of the service offered. I have today placed in the Library a copy of a letter which my Department has sent to a number of organisations involved with the work of home improvement agencies inviting written representations. We will be happy to receive views in writing from anyone else who wishes to contribute. We hope to announce our main conclusions from the review by the autumn.

  Audit Commission
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the relationship between the Audit Commission and his Department, and the other Departments which sponsor the Commission's work.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Department of the Environment, the Welsh Office and the Department of Health sponsor the Audit Commission. A joint framework document—"Accounting for Independent Audit"—which sets out the relationships between the Audit Commission and its sponsors, and between the sponsor Departments themselves, has been published today. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library.

  National Parks
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his timetable for the introduction of legislation to establish the national parks as independent boards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 21 June 1994]: The Local Government (Wales) Bill will allow my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales to establish joint or special planning boards for the three national parks in Wales. However, it is our intention to introduce legislation to establish independent authorities for all 10 national parks in England and Wales as soon as there is a suitable opportunity to do so.

EMPLOYMENT

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of the compensation which could be secured in consequence of the various proceedings initiated by the EC Commission in consequence of the acquired rights directive; and if he will investigate the possibility of reducing public expenditure by establishing a programme for settling claims.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government do not believe that any significant claims for compensation resulting from those proceedings will be substantiated.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the consequences in terms of policy of the various actions initiated by the EC Commission against the United Kingdom on the application of the acquired rights directive; and what steps he will take to advise persons who might be entitled to compensation.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  All but one of the issues raised by the Commission have already been dealt with by amendments to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 in the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993. The only outstanding issue concerns arrangements for consultation about proposed transfers. The Government are still considering the judgment on that point.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what liability is accepted by the Government for the costs already paid out by private employers in consequence of the legislation stemming from the acquired rights directive in light of the terms of the court decisions in the EC.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Courts and tribunals take account of relevant decisions by the European Court of Justice in interpreting national implementing legislation. It is for individual employees and employers to take their own legal advice on the effect of national or European law.

  Employment and Investment Report
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report on employment and investment.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government strongly support the report's conclusions that all industrialised economies need to adapt more rapidly to change than they have done in the past 20 years through increased labour market flexibility and that attempts to slow the pace of change through erecting barriers to trade or regulations to preserve existing patterns of employment will damage prosperity and employment in the long run. That strategy is very much in line with the policies which the Government have been pursuing for the past 15 years and which have brought us a rapid reduction in unemployment, including long-term unemployment.

  Accountancy Firms
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many contracts and for what total sum were let out by his Department or agencies for which it is 222
  responsible to (a) Coopers and Lybrand, (b) KPMG Peat Marwick, (c) Ernst and Young, (d) Price Waterhouse, (e) Arthur Andersen, (f) Touche Ross, (g) Grant Thornton, (h) Robson Rhodes and (i) Pannell Kerr Forster for (i) privatisation, (ii) market testing, (iii) management advice, (iv) accounting, (v) audit, (vi) consultancy and (vii) any other services in 1980 to 1983, 1984 to 1987, 1988 to 1991 and 1992 to 1993.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Disabled People (Employment)
  Sir Harold Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the level of compliance of each local authority with the requirements of the statutory quota scheme for the employment of disabled persons.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Tables of figures showing the number and percentage of registered disabled people employed by a wide range of public sector employers, including local authorities, are published annually in the Employment Gazette, with the agreement of the employers concerned. The latest available figures relating to 1 June 1992 were published in the April 1993 gazette, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in manufacturing industry in Greater London and Redbridge in 1979 and 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information is given in the following table:

  Employees in manufacturing industry

  Thousands

  Greater London

  Redbridge

  September 1981

  681

  13

  September 1991

  359

  6

  December 1993

  322

  1—

  1Not available.

  Between 1981 and 1993 manufacturing output in the United Kingdom rose by 21·5 per cent.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Manufactured Exports, East Midlands
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of Britain's manufactured exports originate in the east midlands.

  Mr. Needham
  Export figures are compiled on a national and not a regional basis. The east midlands contributed fully to last year's record export performance, when our visible exports totalled £121 billion.

  Association of South-East Asian Nations
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to promote trade with the ASEAN countries.
  223
  Mr. Needham
  My Department now has in place a wide range of measures to promote trade with the ASEAN countries. These include the appointment of five export promoters from the private sector, who work with teams of officials to provide first-hand advice and assistance to British companies exporting to the ASEAN bloc.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role he sees for further reform on intellectual property rights in his programme to improve the competitiveness of British industry.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The United Kingdom is a country which depends on innovation to maintain its competitiveness. Strong protection for intellectual property around the world is therefore important to British industry. The Government were pleased that the recent GATT agreement provides minimum standards of protection and enforcement and we will be seeking to ensure that the agreement is implemented as fully and widely as possible. We will continue to seek improved protection through harmonisation of laws at European and international level.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's competitiveness with the emerging newly industrialised countries.

  Mr. Eggar
  The United Kingdom's competitiveness both with the newly industrialising countries and with other developed economies is analysed in the Government's recent White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win".

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next proposes to meet the Institute of Directors to discuss industrial competitiveness.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer to the answer my hon. Friend gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardine and Deeside (Mr. Kynoch).

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received on his White Paper on Competitiveness.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Ms Armstrong) earlier today.

  Director's Share Options (Disclosure)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to improve disclosure of director's share options.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None. However, proposals are contained in the exposure draft of the urgent issues task force of the Accounting Standards Board published on 19 May. The draft is open for comment until 8 July.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of jobs in manufacturing(a) in June 1979 and (b) at the latest available date.
  224
  Mr. McLoughlin
  Manufacturing employment has been on a downward trend in the developed world for many years. The number of employees in employment in United Kingdom manufacturing industry was 7·3 million in June 1979 and 4·3 million in March 1994. The fall in manufacturing employment since 1979 reflects structural changes and sharply increased productivity.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to boost manufacturing investment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Since 1979, investment in plant and machinery has risen by over 50 per cent. Further investment will be encouraged by the profitable and competitive manufacturing base which our policies are designed to maintain.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the percentage change in manufacturing output since 1979 and the figures for Germany, Japan and the United States of America.

  Mr. Eggar
  Since 1979, manufacturing output increased by 5 per cent. in the United Kingdom; 14 per cent. in West Germany; 43 per cent. in Japan; and 38 per cent. in the United States of America. However the comparison is affected by the timing of the economic cycle. Between 1981 and 1992—similar points in the economic cycle—United Kingdom manufacturing output grew by over a fifth.

  Aircraft Industry
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union about protecting the interests of European aircraft industries.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Ministers and officials at my Department have a continuing dialogue on the competitiveness of the European aerospace industry with our partners in the major European aerospace programmes such as airbus.

  Post Office
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what responses he has received so far on his Green Paper on the Future of the Post Office.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Green Paper has not yet been published. However, we have received a number of representations since my right hon. Friend's statement on 19 May expressing a range of views on the future of the Post Office.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he was consulted about statements made by the Post Office chief executive on privatisation.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Post Office board is entirely free to comment in public on issues concerning the future of its business.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to publish his consultation paper on the Post Office.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Shortly.

  Shipbuilding Industry
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next intends to discuss with his EU counterparts the future of the shipbuilding industry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry is meeting EU counterparts today, when he attends a meeting of the Industry Council, to discuss shipbuilding affairs.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the future prospects for the shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My officials are constantly in touch with representatives of the shipbuilding industry about their plans and prospects. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and other Ministers recently met leading representatives of the industy to hear their reports and discuss their industry's future.

  Deregulation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's deregulation initiative.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The booklet "Deregulation—Cutting Red Tape", copies of which are available in the Library of the House, was published in January, setting out the aims and achievements of the deregulation initiative to date. Since then further developments have included:The completion of the departmental reviews of their regulations. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has recently submitted a report to the Prime Minister on the results of this.
  There are now 873 regulations earmarked for amendment or repeal, and 359 of the task forces' 605 recommendations have now been accepted and work is being taken forward by the new task force under the chairmanship of Francis Maude.
  The Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill has now completed its passage through the Commons and is currently before another place.
  The review of fire safety regulations has now submitted its report to the Government. We are considering its recommendations and how to proceed regarding publication.
  We continue to work with the European Commission and other member states to ensure that deregulation is at the heart of European policy making and that all new EC proposals are fully justified in terms of their costs and benefits.

  Telecommunications Industry
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to vary the ban on British Telecom and Mercury providing entertainment services via their national networks; what representation he has received regarding the ban; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  British Telecom and Mercury have precisely the same opportunities as other companies to provide entertainment services, through holding interests in franchises to provide cable television. The Government are committed to maintaining their policies on these matters, as set out in chapter 5 of the 1991 telecommunications White Paper. We have received correspondence on aspects of these policies from a variety of sources, and I have recently explained the justification for our policies to the Trade and Industry Select Committee.

  Steel Industry Subsidies, Italy
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take action to secure the withdrawal by the European Commission of subsidies being paid by the Italian Government to that country's steel industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government will continue to press the Commission to take firm action against any subsidies paid by the Italian Government to their steel industry which are not permissible under the European Coal and Steel Community treaty or the steel aids code.

  Machine Tools
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the latest figures for imports and exports of machine tools between the United Kingdom and Japan, Germany and Italy.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is provided in the table:

  United Kingdom trade in machine tools1 for 1993

  (£ million, current prices)

  Country

  Imports

  Exports

  Japan

  106·9

  9·2

  Germany

  122·7

  43·4

  Italy

  38·1

  14·6

  1Machine tools and their parts are defined as headings 728, 733 and 735 of the Standard International Trade Classification.

  Source: HM Customs and Excise.

  Disabled People
  Sir Harold Walker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce a requirement that company annual reports should include a statement of their level of compliance with the statutory quota for the employment of disabled persons.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to do so. The Companies Act 1985 already requires companies with more than 250 employees to include in their directors' report a statement describing their policy applied during the financial year for the employment of disabled persons.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will announce the site of the headquarters of the Coal Authority.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government gave a commitment in their coal review White Paper that the headquarters of the Coal Authority would be located in Nottinghamshire. I announced yesterday in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chingford (Mr. Duncan Smith)Official Report, column 83, the initial accommodation arrangements being made for the authority pending its own consideration of longer term arrangements. The authority's headquarters will be located at 200 Lichfield land, Berry Hill, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, which British Coal Opencast will also continue to use for the time being. The authority will additionally take over British Coal's abandoned mine plans facility at Bretby in Staffordshire, and co-locate certain associated functions.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the review of fire safety legislation and enforcement he announced on 17 January has produced its report; whether it will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The review team submitted its report to my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for the Environment and myself on 24 May. We are publishing the report today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The review team has carried out a thorough evaluation of the present system and identified a number of potential improvements. Since January, the review team has undertaken widespread consultation with all interested parties. It has found that there is an overlap in present legislation and that enforcement arrangements may impose burdens on businesses and create avoidable uncertainty. Enforcement responsibilities are sometimes blurred. This makes more difficult the task of enforcing the legislation and co-ordinating the activities of the various enforcers.

  The report puts forward a number of proposals which the review team believes would reduce burdens on business and introduce greater clarity into the system without undermining safety standards. These recommendations are now under consideration by Ministers. No decisions have yet been taken and we are committed to full consultation before any proposals for changing the existing arrangements are made. We would welcome the views of interested parties. We shall be consulting those organisations with a known interest in this matter for their views by 31 October 1994.

  The review team has risen well to the challenge, and we expect that greater clarity and simpler arrangements will improve standards of fire safety.

  Lloyd's
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Lloyd's passed the annual solvency test.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The statement and certificates demonstrating Lloyd's solvency for the year ended December 1992, which are required by part IV of the Insurance Companies Act 1982, were received by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade at the end of August 1993. The corresponding documentation in respect of the year ended December 1993 should be delivered this August.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next intends to convene a conference of representatives of overseas investors to discuss locating in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau regularly holds seminars in its major overseas markets. These are always well attended.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those activities within his Department which have been, or are subject to market testing; those 228
  activities which have been awarded to private contractors; those cases in which external consultants have been employed and the total cost of consultancy fees in relation to market testing.

  Mr. Eggar
  A full list of activities subject to market testing in 1992–93 and 1993–94 was published in the citizens charter first and second reports, Cm. 2101 and Cm. 2540 respectively. To date, the private sector has been awarded contracts within the following areas: the offshore geology programme, office and support services, and training. External consultants have been employed to support market testing of the activities listed in the reports with the exception of oil and gas royalties, ship radio licensing, outward missions and staff counselling. To date the total cost of consultancy fees for market testing has been £2·5 million.

  Early Payment Initiative
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the reduction of outstanding debts as a result of his proposed initiatives for early payments.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This information is not available. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced in the White Paper on competitiveness a number of measures to address late payment. We will continue to monitor changes in payment times after these measures have been implemented.

  Exports
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what(a) proportion and (b) value of United Kingdom exports went to (i) the EC and (ii) non-EC countries in 1985, 1990 and the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Needham
  United Kingdom exports to the EC in 1985, 1990 and 1993 were £38 billion, £54 billion and £64 billion respectively, representing 49 per cent., 53 per cent. and 53 per cent. of United Kingdom exports. The value of exports to non-EC countries were £40 billion, £47 billion and £57 billion, representing 51 per cent., 47 per cent. and 47 per cent. of United Kingdom exports.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what applications for export licences to South America for defence equipment have(a) been granted, (b) received and (c) discussed over the past year; and what information regarding United Kingdom arms exports to Chile was given in the UN register.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 21 June 1994]: Details of applications for export licences for goods on the military list of the Export of Goods (Control) Order to South American countries are as follows. It has not been possible to give separate figures for applications discussed, as it is not possible, without disproportionate effort, to distinguish between those applications where discussions took place and those where they did not.

  Copies of the United Kingdom's returns for 1992 and 1993 to the UN register of conventional arms are in the Libraries of the House.
  229

  Export licence applications for military goods to South America 1 June 1993–31 May 1994

  Country

  Received

  Issued

  Argentina

  16

  3

  Bolivia

  7

  7

  Brazil

  641

  620

  Chile

  169

  142

  Columbia

  20

  12

  Ecuador

  19

  15

  Guyana

  8

  8

  Paraguay

  6

  5

  Peru

  30

  28

  Uruguay

  4

  4

  Venezuela

  23

  21

  Unfair Consumer Contracts Directive
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what specific consultations he had with industry prior to the finalisation of the EC unfair consumer contracts directive about the content of that directive.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: We consulted extensively with industry, and with other interested parties, on the text of the draft directive as soon as it became available. The comments that we received were taken into account during the subsequent negotiations.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the EC unfair consumer contracts directive applies to real property transactions; and whether the United Kingdom legislation required to implement the directive will distinguish between real and personal property.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: The Government's view is that the unfair contract terms directive does not apply to the sale of real property, though it would apply to any secondary transactions. It is not intended in the implementing regulations to distinguish between real and personal property.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has concerning the differences between the European Commission's understanding of the term "goods" in connection with the EC unfair consumer contracts directive and the definition of the term in United Kingdom law; how any discrepancy between the two understandings of the terms will be resolved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: I am not aware of any such differences. There is no general definition of what constitutes goods in United Kingdom law.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received from trade associations in the financial services sector, the manufacturing sector, and the house-building sector concerning the EC unfair consumer contracts directive; and what plans he has to meet a group representing trade associations in those sectors to discuss the directive.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: My Department has received 87 responses to its consultation paper on the implementation of the unfair contract terms
  230
  directive. These include a number from trade associations in the financial services, manufacturing and construction sectors. I have no current plans to meet any trade associations from those sectors, but a number of meetings have been held with my officials.

SCOTLAND

  Enzootic Bovine Leukosis
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current number of cattle aged 30 months or under with enzootic bovine leukosis.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Currently there are eight animals in Scotland under the age of 30 months which have reacted positively to tests for enzootic bovine leukosis.

  Norwegian Salmon Imports
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations the Government have made to the European Commission to ensure that the minimum import price of Norwegian farmed salmon into the Community is reinstated.

  Sir Hector Monro
  None. Minimum import prices were introduced last autumn as an exceptional and temporary measure to counter low prices and expired on 17 May this year. Current data indicate that prices are well above the previous minimum import levels.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action is being taken to prevent Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon being dumped on the United Kingdom market.

  Sir Hector Monro
  We are giving every assistance to the industry in its efforts to seek a more stable market. My right hon. Friend and I have had regular meetings with the industry to ensure full understanding of the situation and to discuss possible solutions, and have brought about the resumption of discussions between the Scottish and Norwegian fish farming representative organisations.

  St. Anthony's Church, Johnstone
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish an ad hoc task force of relevant interests and expertise to provide St. Anthony's RC church, Hallhill road, Spateston, Johnstone, with advice on what sources of public funding may be available to assist repair to the church roof and to make the building wind and watertight; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I am advised that Historic Scotland has already provided the hon. Member with advice, in a letter from the chief executive dated 14 April 1994, on possible sources of public funding to assist with the repair of St. Anthony's church.

  Housing (Disabled People)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce new building regulations or amend existing building regulations, to promote the development of barrier-free housing in terms of(a) new-build and (b) renovated or modernised properties; and if he will make a statement.
  231
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend intends to consult on a range of building regulation requirements which could be applied to the design of new dwellings for the benefit of disabled people. We have no plans to apply any such new requirements retrospectively to existing dwellings.

  Scottish Homes has announced that it expects recipients of grant funding to adopt a policy of promoting barrier-free standards wherever possible; and the draft housing community care circular issued for comment in February drew attention to the advantages of barrier-free housing.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to encourage public sector landlords to provide disabled people with personal housing plans; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for local housing authorities and Scottish Homes to decide what housing information and advice to provide for applicants.

  The draft housing and community care circular issued for comment in February emphasised that community care users, including those with physical disabilities, and their carers, should participate in individual community care assessments covering the range of housing, health and social care services suited to their needs.

  Paisley Arts Centre in Education
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish a table showing the amount of(a) capital and (b) recurring grants paid to the Paisley Arts Centre in Education, the youth theatre group based in Paisley, by the Scottish Arts Council in each year since 1988; what percentage of its outturn expenditure was covered by Scottish Arts Council grants in each year during the same period; what moneys PACE received from other sources in his Department during the same period; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he next plans to meet representatives of the Scottish Arts Council to discuss the youth theatre movement in Scotland; if he intends to raise the funding of the Paisley Arts centre in Education, the Paisley-based youth theatre group; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what changes in the criteria governing the allocation of grants by the Scottish Arts Council might have affected awards to the Paisley Arts centre in Education, the Paisley-based youth theatre group; whether he was consulted about any changes to these criteria; and if he will make a statement;

  Average Standard Local Authority Rents £ per dwelling per week

  Authorities

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Berwickshire

  12·75

  13·77

  14·40

  15·34

  16·86

  17·95

  19·05

  21·05

  22·50

  23·60

  24·76

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  13·22

  13·14

  13·14

  13·88

  14·59

  15·55

  16·48

  18·83

  20·23

  21·09

  22·77

  Roxburgh

  13·43

  14·72

  16·38

  16·87

  18·08

  19·79

  20·72

  23·96

  26·18

  27·62

  28·77

  Tweeddale

  11·28

  11·34

  12·69

  13·14

  14·27

  14·07

  15·50

  17·83

  19·56

  22·44

  23·25

  Clackmannan

  11·21

  11·66

  12·86

  14·34

  16·24

  18·89

  21·17

  22·94

  24·79

  25·23

  26·15

  Falkirk

  10·68

  11·61

  12·54

  13·89

  15·25

  17·04

  18·97

  19·80

  21·27

  22·90

  23·80

  Stirling

  9·29

  11·55

  13·62

  15·07

  16·09

  18·46

  20·67

  23·19

  25·30

  29·14

  29·26

  Annandale and Eskdale

  12·91

  13·85

  15·22

  16·49

  18·10

  19·35

  21·96

  24·18

  26·00

  28·10

  28·66

  Nithsdale

  10·50

  11·48

  13·13

  13·86

  15·45

  16·96

  18·75

  21·14

  23·21

  25·66

  25·72

  Stewartry

  13·96

  14·09

  15·45

  16·45

  18·06

  19·51

  20·75

  24·53

  26·89

  28·40

  28·39

  Wigtown

  14·17

  15·79

  16·69

  16·70

  17·57

  18·42

  18·90

  23·48

  27·07

  29·34

  29·77

  Dunfermline

  12·16

  12·15

  13·46

  14·70

  16·65

  17·94

  19·50

  21·54

  22·90

  24·91

  25·95

  Kirkcaldy

  11·60

  12·60

  13·85

  15·32

  17·02

  18·67

  20·62

  22·38

  24·48

  26·22

  26·69

  North East Fife

  12·69

  13·82

  15·87

  17·07

  18·16

  20·79

  21·09

  23·34

  23·52

  24·50

  25·00

  Aberdeen

  8·89

  11·21

  12·55

  14·69

  15·97

  17·92

  19·49

  20·81

  20·61

  21·55

  22·58

  232
  (4) if he will make a statement on the value and importance of the youth theatre movement in Scotland, with particular reference to the Paisley-based Paisley Arts centre in Education theatre group.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The relationship between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Scottish Arts Council is governed by the arm's-length principle. It is for the Scottish Arts Council to determine its artistic policy and strategy and to decide, in line with its artistic judgment, which individual arts bodies should benefit from the council's funds. Questions relating to the funding of arts organisations should be addressed to the council. My right hon. Friend attaches importance to the youth theatre movement in Scotland and will give support amounting to £62,920 in 1994–95 under section 23 of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 to the Scottish Youth Theatre, which is a national organisation operating on a Scotland-wide basis, the activities of which are broadly educational.

  No Scottish Office grant has been paid to PACE. My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet the Scottish Arts Council to discuss the youth theatre movement.

  Rats
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of(a) the likely change in the population of rats in the sewerage system and (b) which factors will determine that change; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The regional and islands councils in Scotland are responsible for sewerage matters and no authority has indicated to my right hon. Friend that there has been any recent change in the population of rats in sewers. No significant problem with rats in sewerage systems in Scotland is known to exist. Any outbreak or an increase in the rat population in sewers would be dealt with by the authorities' drainage departments.

  Local Authority Rents
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing(a) the average weekly rental charge and (b) the average increase in the weekly rental charge for (i) each district council in Scotland and (ii) Scottish Homes houses in each year since 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the tables:
  233

  Authorities

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Banff and Buchan

  12·43

  13·80

  14·98

  15·61

  17·27

  18·97

  20·01

  21·17

  22·09

  23·17

  23·65

  Gordon

  11·91

  13·63

  14·91

  15·11

  16·07

  17·72

  19·05

  23·31

  24·71

  27·05

  31·07

  Kincardine and Deeside

  11·80

  13·01

  13·85

  14·34

  15·03

  15·07

  17·12

  18·96

  21·62

  25·63

  27·87

  Moray

  11·64

  13·58

  14·03

  15·66

  17·25

  19·41

  20·77

  20·78

  22·28

  24·40

  25·81

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  12·56

  13·50

  15·35

  15·32

  16·91

  16·78

  15·93

  18·87

  22·13

  26·80

  28·49

  Caithness

  11·75

  12·65

  13·69

  14·84

  16·55

  18·08

  19·83

  22·21

  24·60

  27·13

  29·86

  Inverness

  11·28

  13·19

  14·02

  15·96

  17·91

  20·26

  21·59

  24·36

  27·06

  29·09

  30·19

  Lochaber

  12·28

  12·98

  14·29

  16·03

  17·14

  19·09

  21·17

  23·68

  26·50

  29·83

  32·10

  Nairn

  12·15

  13·53

  14·68

  15·79

  17·42

  19·27

  19·33

  23·94

  26·91

  27·22

  30·71

  Ross and Cromarty

  11·99

  12·73

  14·73

  15·85

  17·51

  19·60

  21·29

  25·09

  28·63

  30·99

  31·90

  Skye and Lochalsh

  13·02

  14·91

  16·88

  17·12

  18·05

  19·19

  21·41

  25·01

  29·72

  31·77

  32·44

  Sutherland

  11·83

  12·80

  14·17

  14·43

  15·79

  17·25

  19·68

  22·93

  27·47

  30·09

  32·46

  East Lothian

  11·10

  12·39

  13·36

  14·71

  16·28

  17·88

  19·98

  22·11

  22·63

  22·99

  23·58

  Edinburgh

  13·53

  13·35

  13·39

  15·23

  17·15

  21·27

  24·79

  29·10

  30·53

  32·13

  35·40

  Midlothian

  10·77

  11·83

  12·76

  13·71

  14·72

  15·81

  15·81

  15·92

  16·13

  18·13

  19·22

  West Lothian

  10·98

  11·78

  12·63

  13·53

  14·93

  16·72

  17·74

  18·81

  19·72

  21·27

  23·88

  Argyll and Bute

  13·29

  15·32

  15·31

  15·80

  17·36

  19·10

  21·46

  23·38

  26·27

  29·36

  31·95

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  11·45

  12·17

  14·23

  16·58

  17·97

  19·71

  21·83

  24·44

  27·66

  28·60

  28·45

  Clydebank

  10·04

  12·19

  15·04

  17·06

  19·00

  22·75

  25·55

  27·12

  26·60

  28·06

  29·07

  Clydesdale

  10·70

  12·15

  13·02

  13·85

  15·60

  17·34

  18·70

  20·88

  22·18

  23·58

  24·79

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  10·61

  12·74

  14·75

  16·42

  17·93

  19·77

  21·12

  23·06

  23·97

  25·63

  25·76

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  10·39

  11·11

  12·15

  13·61

  14·67

  16·34

  17·70

  20·30

  22·56

  24·35

  25·31

  Cunninghame

  8·85

  8·85

  10·50

  13·01

  14·80

  16·42

  18·35

  20·27

  22·13

  24·31

  26·47

  Dumbarton

  9·38

  9·38

  11·68

  14·60

  18·07

  21·15

  24·00

  25·77

  27·97

  29·90

  32·18

  East Kilbride

  12·44

  13·49

  15·55

  16·53

  17·46

  19·55

  21·61

  22·62

  24·36

  25·18

  30·98

  Eastwood

  11·02

  11·50

  11·94

  12·45

  13·91

  15·10

  16·59

  18·10

  21·06

  21·73

  22·39

  Glasgow

  9·63

  10·65

  12·61

  14·63

  17·18

  21·15

  24·02

  26·80

  28·65

  30·78

  31·49

  Hamilton

  10·03

  10·95

  12·80

  14·86

  15·65

  17·90

  19·37

  21·05

  23·25

  25·39

  27·00

  Inverclyde

  9·08

  11·30

  12·40

  13·33

  14·37

  16·85

  19·17

  21·44

  29·93

  25·94

  26·94

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  9·59

  10·59

  12·42

  13·85

  14·48

  16·22

  17·51

  19·39

  19·46

  20·83

  21·42

  Kyle and Carrick

  10·42

  12·18

  13·37

  14·38

  15·65

  16·57

  18·74

  20·22

  21·22

  26·28

  28·18

  Monklands

  9·30

  11·32

  13·68

  15·50

  16·95

  18·78

  20·25

  22·80

  23·66

  25·66

  27·37

  Motherwell

  9·91

  11·27

  12·46

  14·10

  15·03

  17·29

  18·60

  19·71

  21·03

  23·43

  25·51

  Renfrew

  8·81

  9·81

  11·50

  12·99

  13·92

  16·73

  18·70

  20·68

  22·45

  24·41

  25·88

  Strathkelvin

  10·57

  11·62

  14·18

  15·31

  17·24

  18·12

  19·45

  21·32

  22·87

  25·11

  27·41

  Angus

  11·70

  12·66

  13·77

  14·58

  14·48

  15·76

  16·80

  17·87

  17·76

  18·88

  19·81

  Dundee

  8·80

  9·82

  11·63

  13·61

  17·11

  21·19

  25·25

  28·20

  30·44

  32·06

  32·71

  Perth and Kinross

  10·77

  11·93

  12·93

  13·88

  14·63

  15·85

  18·17

  19·78

  22·12

  22·94

  23·94

  Orkney Islands

  11·00

  13·16

  14·49

  15·99

  17·06

  20·40

  22·61

  25·61

  28·00

  27·60

  29·53

  Shetland Islands

  10·52

  13·43

  14·97

  15·93

  18·21

  19·08

  20·68

  25·02

  28·90

  29·76

  31·06

  Western Isles

  14·88

  15·47

  16·50

  17·52

  18·96

  19·71

  22·46

  29·03

  30·89

  33·38

  34·19

  SCOTLAND

  10·46

  11·55

  12·99

  14·58

  16·29

  18·82

  20·93

  23·12

  24·65

  26·51

  27·79

  SCOTTISH SPECIAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION SCOTTISH HOMES

  Average Rental Income

  13·06

  14·23

  15·79

  17·28

  19·02

  20·88

  23·81

  26·73

  29·14

  31·76

  33·83

  Annual average rent increase

  £ per dwelling per week

  Authorities

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Berwickshire

  1·20

  1·02

  0·63

  0·95

  1·52

  1·10

  1·09

  2·01

  1·44

  1·11

  1·15

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  2·22

  (0·08)

  (0·00)

  0·74

  0·70

  0·96

  0·93

  2·35

  1·39

  0·86

  1·68

  Roxburgh

  1·02

  1·28

  1·67

  0·48

  1·22

  1·71

  0·93

  3·23

  2·22

  1·44

  1·15

  Tweedale

  (0·05)

  0·06

  1·35

  0·44

  1·13

  (0·20)

  1·43

  2·33

  1·73

  2·88

  0·81

  Clackmannan

  0·96

  0·46

  1·20

  1·47

  1·91

  2·64

  2·28

  1·77

  1·86

  0·44

  0·92

  Falkirk

  0·51

  0·93

  0·93

  1·35

  1·36

  1·79

  1·93

  0·84

  1·47

  1·62

  0·90

  Stirling

  0·01

  2·26

  2·08

  1·44

  1·03

  2·37

  2·21

  2·52

  2·11

  3·84

  0·12

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1·22

  0·95

  1·37

  1·26

  1·61

  1·25

  2·61

  2·21

  1·82

  2·10

  0·56

  Nithsdale

  0·90

  0·98

  1·66

  0·72

  1·59

  1·52

  1·79

  2·39

  2·06

  2·46

  0·06

  Stewartry

  1·31

  0·13

  1·36

  1·00

  1·61

  1·45

  1·24

  3·77

  2·36

  1·51

  (0·00)

  Wigtown

  2·19

  1·62

  0·90

  0·01

  0·87

  0·85

  0·48

  4·57

  3·60

  2·26

  0·43

  Dunfermline

  0·49

  (0·00)

  1·30

  1·25

  1·94

  1·29

  1·56

  2·04

  1·36

  2·02

  1·03

  Kirkcaldy

  1·15

  0·99

  1·25

  1·47

  1·69

  1·65

  1·95

  1·76

  2·10

  1·74

  0·47

  North East Fife

  (0·05)

  1·14

  2·05

  1·20

  1·09

  2·63

  0·29

  2·26

  0·18

  0·98

  0·50

  Aberdeen

  0·98

  2·32

  1·34

  2·14

  1·27

  1·95

  1·57

  1·32

  (0·20)

  0·95

  1·03

  Banff and Buchan

  1·17

  1·37

  1·18

  0·63

  1·66

  1·70

  1·04

  1·16

  0·92

  1·08

  0·48

  Gordon

  0·50

  1·73

  1·27

  0·20

  0·95

  1·65

  1·33

  4·26

  1·40

  2·34

  4·02

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1·28

  1·21

  0·84

  0·49

  0·70

  0·03

  2·05

  1·84

  2·66

  4·01

  2·24

  Moray

  1·29

  1·94

  0·45

  1·63

  1·59

  2·16

  1·35

  0·01

  1·50

  2·12

  1·41

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  1·04

  0·94

  1·85

  (0·02)

  1·59

  (0·13)

  (0·85)

  2·94

  3·26

  4·67

  1·69

  Caithness

  2·08

  0·90

  1·04

  1·15

  1·71

  1·52

  1·75

  2·38

  2·40

  2·53

  2·72

  Inverness

  0·74

  1·91

  0·83

  1·94

  1·95

  2·35

  1·33

  2·77

  2·70

  2·03

  1·10

  Lochaber

  0·92

  0·70

  1·31

  1·74

  1·11

  1·95

  2·08

  2·52

  2·82

  3·33

  2·27

  Nairn

  0·92

  1·38

  1·15

  1·11

  1·63

  1·86

  0·06

  4·61

  2·96

  0·31

  3·48

  234 235

  Authorities

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Ross and Cromarty

  1·24

  0·74

  1·99

  1·13

  1·65

  2·09

  1·70

  3·79

  3·54

  2·36

  0·91

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1·94

  1·89

  1·97

  0·24

  0·93

  1·14

  2·21

  3·60

  4·71

  2·04

  0·68

  Sutherland

  1·06

  0·97

  1·37

  0·26

  1·37

  1·46

  2·43

  3·25

  4·53

  2·62

  2·37

  East Lothian

  0·86

  1·29

  0·97

  1·35

  1·57

  1·60

  2·11

  2·13

  0·52

  0·36

  0·59

  Edinburgh

  1·25

  (0·18)

  0·03

  1·84

  1·93

  4·12

  3·52

  4·31

  1·43

  1·60

  3·27

  Midlothian

  0·87

  1·07

  0·92

  0·96

  1·01

  1·09

  (0·00)

  0·11

  0·21

  2·00

  1·09

  West Lothian

  0·50

  0·80

  0·85

  0·90

  1·40

  1·80

  1·02

  1·07

  0·92

  1·55

  2·61

  Argyll and Bute

  (0·15)

  2·03

  (0·01)

  0·49

  1·56

  1·74

  2·35

  1·92

  2·88

  3·09

  2·60

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0·58

  0·72

  2·06

  2·35

  1·40

  1·74

  2·12

  2·61

  3·23

  0·94

  (0·15)

  Clydebank

  1·00

  2·15

  2·85

  2·02

  1·94

  3·75

  2·81

  1·56

  (0·51)

  1·46

  1·01

  Clydesdale

  1·01

  1·45

  0·87

  0·83

  1·75

  1·74

  1·36

  2·18

  1·30

  1·41

  1·21

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0·49

  2·13

  2·01

  1·67

  1·50

  1·85

  1·35

  1·94

  0·91

  1·66

  0·13

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0·50

  0·72

  1·04

  1·46

  1·06

  1·66

  1·36

  2·60

  2·26

  1·79

  0·96

  Cunninghame

  0·01

  0·00

  1·65

  2·51

  1·78

  1·63

  1·93

  1·92

  1·85

  2·18

  2·17

  Dumbarton

  0·81

  0·01

  2·29

  2·93

  3·46

  3·08

  2·85

  1·77

  2·21

  1·93

  2·28

  East Kilbride

  1·01

  1·05

  2·06

  0·98

  0·93

  2·09

  2·06

  1·01

  1·74

  0·82

  5·80

  Eastwood

  0·50

  0·48

  0·44

  0·50

  1·46

  1·19

  1·49

  1·51

  2·96

  0·67

  0·66

  Glasgow

  0·01

  1·02

  1·96

  2·02

  2·55

  3·98

  2·86

  2·78

  1·85

  2·13

  0·71

  Hamilton

  0·70

  0·92

  1·85

  2·06

  0·79

  2·25

  1·47

  1·68

  2·20

  2·15

  1·61

  Inverclyde

  0·77

  2·21

  1·11

  0·92

  1·05

  2·48

  2·32

  2·27

  2·49

  2·01

  1·00

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0·51

  1·01

  1·83

  1·43

  0·63

  1·74

  1·29

  1·88

  0·07

  1·38

  0·58

  Kyle and Carrick

  0·81

  1·76

  1·19

  1·01

  1·27

  0·91

  2·17

  1·49

  1·00

  5·06

  1·90

  Monklands

  0·00

  2·02

  2·35

  1·82

  1·45

  1·83

  1·47

  2·56

  0·86

  2·00

  1·71

  Motherwell

  1·00

  1·35

  1·20

  1·64

  0·93

  2·26

  1·31

  1·11

  1·33

  2·40

  2·08

  Renfrew

  0·48

  1·00

  1·69

  1·49

  0·92

  2·81

  1·97

  1·98

  1·77

  1·96

  1·47

  Strathkelvin

  0·88

  1·05

  2·57

  1·12

  1·93

  0·88

  1·33

  1·87

  1·55

  2·23

  2·30

  Angus

  0·97

  0·96

  1·11

  0·80

  (0·10)

  1·28

  1·04

  1·07

  (0·11)

  1·11

  0·94

  Dundee

  0·73

  1·02

  1·81

  1·98

  3·50

  4·08

  4·06

  2·96

  2·23

  1·62

  0·65

  Perth and Kinross

  (0·00)

  1·16

  1·00

  0·95

  0·75

  1·21

  2·33

  1·61

  2·34

  0·82

  1·00

  Orkney Islands

  0·88

  2·16

  1·33

  1·50

  1·07

  3·34

  2·21

  3·00

  2·38

  (0·40)

  1·94

  Shetland Islands

  (0·05)

  2·91

  1·53

  0·96

  2·28

  0·87

  1·61

  4·34

  3·87

  0·87

  1·30

  Western Isles

  1·84

  0·59

  1·02

  1·03

  1·44

  0·75

  2·75

  6·57

  1·85

  2·49

  0·81

  SCOTLAND

  0·60

  1·09

  1·44

  1·59

  1·71

  2·53

  2·11

  2·19

  1·53

  1·86

  1·28

  SCOTTISH SPECIAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION/SCOTTISH HOMES

  Annual average rent increase

  1·10

  1·17

  1·56

  1·49

  1·74

  1·86

  2·93

  2·92

  2·41

  2·62

  2·07

  Note: Rent reductions in brackets.

  Red Squirrels
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by county the current estimate of the red squirrel population; and what were the figures.(a) five years and (b) 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Information on the red squirrel population is not available by county. The estimated total population of red squirrel in Scotland is 121,000 but: there are no comparable figures for five and 10 years ago. The red squirrel is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Scottish Natural Heritage is organising a conference of parties interested in squirrel management in Scotland in October of this year.

  Strathclyde Police
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the costs of funding Strathclyde police will be apportioned to constituent local authorities in future years; what will be the basis of calculation of contribution from each authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The amalgamation scheme for the new Strathclyde joint police board following local government reorganisation will specify how the payment by the constituent authorities of the expenditure incurred by the board will be apportioned. My right hon. Friend will consult the authorities, before 236
  making the scheme, to seek their views on how costs should be apportioned, and will take full account of their preferences before making the amalgamation scheme.

  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the total value of revenue lost to local authorities by non-payment of non-domestic rates; if he will publish a table showing the value of unpaid non-domestic rates for each(a) regional and (b) district authority in cash terms for the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  In calculating the amounts which levying authorities have to contribute to the non-domestic rating pool, the Scottish Office Environment Department assumes that authorities will write off 1 per cent. of non-domestic rate income annually. Information about the level of actual non-payment in individual authority areas is not held centrally. However, local authorities do not lose any revenue as a result of non-payment of non-domestic rates as within each authority's overall level of aggregate external finance—which comprises non-domestic rate income, revenue support grant and specific grants—any shortfall of non-domestic rate income is made up with revenue support grant.

  Quarries
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the specific powers and duties of(a) strategic planning authorities, (b) local planning authorities, (c) environmental health authorities, (d) Her Majesty's inspector of pollution and (e) other public bodies in relation to control of blasting and operational activities at quarries in Scotland; what plans he has to seek additional powers for any of these bodies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Planning authorities in Scotland—regional, islands and district councils—have powers under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 to grant planning permission in respect of, inter alia, quarrying proposals: in so doing, they may impose conditions restricting operational practices including, for example, times of blasting, suppression of noise, dust and so on.

  Environmental health authorities in Scotland—islands and district councils—have general powers under part III of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and section 16 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 to control noise nuisance. They also have powers under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to control dust and other emissions to the atmosphere.

  Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate has no specific powers or duties in relation to blasting or other operational activities at quarries in Scotland. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for making arrangements for the enforcement of health and safety legislation at quarries in Scotland. Its powers and duties are set out in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and other relevant statutory provisions.

  My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the powers available to these bodies are sufficient, and has no plans, at present, to seek to add to them.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the remit of the Homepoint group set up by Scottish Homes; and if he will make a statement on the progress of its work.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Homepoint is the result of action initiated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to invite Scottish Homes to evaluate the quality and availability of housing information and advice. The remit of Homepoint is to improve the quality and scope of such advice in Scotland, working through local authorities, voluntary providers and the private sector. I understand that Homepoint has just issued its third newsletter and that this describes progress made to date; copies can be obtained from Scottish Homes.

  Councillors (Allowances)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take account of the proposal of the Secretary of State for the Environment on councillors' allowances; and if he will produce a consultative paper on increasing payments to councillors in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Scottish Office Environment Department will shortly issue a consultation paper on possible changes to the new system of councillors'238
  allowances introduced in April 1991. This will take account of the current Department of the Environment consultation exercise.

  Public Sector Housing
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much subsidy was directed towards(a) council housing and (b) other public sector housing (i) in the latest year for which he has information and (ii) in 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 June 1994]: In 1979–80 direct subsidies to council housing through housing support grant and rate fund contributions amounted to £286·3 million, compared with £36·1 million in 1993–94. In 1979–80, subsidies to other Scottish public sector housing amounted to £64·9 million, compared with £21·3 million in 1993–94. The reduction reflects the Government's policy of moving away from indiscriminate general subsidies.

  Assistance is now targeted on tenants in greatest need through the housing benefit system. Housing benefit payments made to Scottish public sector tenants in 1993–94 totalled nearly £600 million.

TRANSPORT

  Driving Tests
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to privatise the Driving Standards Authority's driver and rider testing functions.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 27 May 1993 at columns 683–84 in which I announced that, following the review of the Driving Standards Agency's framework document, I had decided that these functions should continue to be conducted by an executive agency of the Department of Transport. The position will be reviewed in three to four years time.

  Vessel Registration Requirements
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received up to May for the repeal of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act 1919 requirement for British officers. on British-registered vessels.

  Mr. Norris
  There have been 50 responses to the consultation document setting out these proposals.

  Railway Property (Hunt Trespass)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to prevent cases of hunt trespass on railway lines; and if he will issue warnings to hunts for dangerous trespass;

  (2) what plans he has to issue warnings to hunts involved in incidents of hunt trespass on railway lines.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. The prevention of hunt trespass on railway lines is a matter for Railtrack and the British Transport police. The BTP issues warnings in accordance with the Attorney-General's guidelines.

  Traffic Forecasts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all past, current and proposed research commissioned or to be commissioned for or on behalf of the advisory panel on the review of the methodology of the traffic forecasts; and when he intends to publish this research.

  Mr. Key
  No research has been commissioned for, or on behalf of, the advisory group. The Department has in progress several pieces of research particularly relevant to traffic forecasting, listed in my answer to the earlier question of the hon. Member on 23 May at column 53. The Department may consider letting more research on the advice of the group. No decision has yet been taken on the publication of this research.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations underlay his decision to include on the advisory panel for the review of traffic forecasts methodology representatives nominated by road lobby groups but not representatives nominated by environmental groups.

  Mr. Key
  The members of the advisory group were selected by the Department of Transport for the expertise that they could contribute to the forecasting process. As I said in my answer to an earlier question by the hon. Member on 23 May at column 53, the members do not represent any interest or group.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the national road traffic forecasts will next be revised.

  Mr. Key
  The national road traffic forecasts are kept continuously under review, and will be revised if and when the need becomes apparent.

  Efficiency Targets
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the reports clue on 10 June produced by heads of departments for the 20 per cent. efficiency targets for each of the next two years.

  Mr. MacGregor
  No. These are internal management documents.

  Disclosure of Information
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many cases the Data Protection Act 1984 was breached in the instance of the DVLA releasing information on the owners of vehicles to community charge collectors.

  Mr. Key
  DVLA is not aware of any instances in which the Data Protection Act has been breached as a result of releasing vehicle keeper details to local authorities.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in the last financial year the DVLA gave information on the owners of vehicles to community charge collectors in Scotland.

  Mr. Key
  In the last financial year, DVLA processed more than 5 million inquiries from the police and local authorities. Information on the number of inquiries by separate subject and local authority could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Staff
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 108, regarding departmental employees, if he will give the total cost of employing each grade of staff.

  Mr. Norris
  The table shows total salary costs for each grade and grade equivalent at April 1993 expressed as an annual figure. The salary costs comprise basic pay, allowances, Superannuation and national insurance contribution

  Grade

  Total salary cost £

  Grade 1

  108,598

  Grade 2

  320,797

  Grade 3

  1,652,525

  Grade 4

  1,018,554

  Grade 5

  5,901,718

  Grade 6

  7,013,177

  Grade 7

  27,275,123

  SEO

  29,127,629

  HEO

  31,343,989

  EO

  71,343,989

  AO

  55,932,859

  AA

  34,451,713

  Traffic commissioners

  374,136

  Costs do not include 1993 pay settlements as these were not paid until after 1 April. They reflect all paid staff, including those working part time.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions currently exist on flights to and from London City airport; and what is the current number of scheduled flights to and from London City airport.

  Mr. Norris
  The 1991 granting of planning permission for development at London City airport was subject to a number of conditions on the use of the airport. These include limits of 40 air transport movements per day at weekends, bank holidays and public holidays, 130 per day n other days and 36,500 air transport movements per calendar year. There are further restrictions which are expressed in terms of noise levels of aircraft.

  In the 12 months to 31 March 1994, there were some 12,100 scheduled flights to and from London City airport. Currently on a typical weekday there are some 66 scheduled flights—Source: London City airport.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the joint air miss working group reports on the air misses in the vicinity of Humberside airport on 23 May 1991 and 13 October 1992.

  Mr. Norris
  My officials have made arrangements with the Civil Aviation Authority, for copies of the documents mentioned, to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The hon. Member may also wish to know that with immediate effect, further copies of the quarterly published, collated reports of the joint air miss working group will be placed in the Library.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role and function of his Department's Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment.

  Mr. Key
  The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport to advise him on any significant changes proposed in trunk road appraisal methods.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the reports his Department has commissioned from the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment in the last 10 years; what was the date of publication for each; and if he will place each of the reports in the Library.

  Mr. Key
  In the last 10 years the Department of Transport has commissioned three reports from the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment, as well as asking for advice on various specific trunk road appraisal issues. Two reports have been published; "Urban Road Appraisal" dated June 1986, and "Assessing the Environmental Impact of Road Schemes" dated March 1992. A copy of each has been placed in the Library. The third, "Trunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic" which has recently been submitted to the Secretary of State, will be published when a response has been prepared. A copy of the report and Government response will be placed in the Library at that time.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communications Her Majesty's Government have had with the European Commission regarding road schemes in the last five years.

  Mr. Key
  The Government have had many and various communications with the European Commission about road schemes during the last five years. A comprehensive analysis could not be undertaken without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the annual running cost of his Department's Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken.

  Mr. Key
  The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment running costs in financial year 1993–94 were £05,348·57; taken from the Highways, Safety and Traffic Administration subhead of class VI, vote 1, National roads, England.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the current members of his Department's Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment.

  Mr. Key
  The terms of appointment of the members of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment ended on submission of the report, "Trunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic" in May 1994. A new committee has yet to be appointed.

  Membership of the most recent committee was:

  Chairman

  Mr. D. Wood QC, Principal of St Hugh's College Oxford

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  Vice-chairman

  Mr. R. H. Stewart, Independent Planning Consultant

  Members

  Dr. D. Coombe, Director, The MVA Consultancy

  Dr. P. Goodwin, Director of the Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford

  Professor P. Hill, Director of the Transport Operations
  Research Group, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

  Mr. D. Hutchinson, County Surveyor, Dorset County Council

  Mr. P. Mackie, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Leeds

  Miss A. M. Lees, Environmental Adviser. Formerly
  Controller of Transportation and Development, GLC

  Mr. M. E. G. Taylor, Chairman of Eric R. Taylor (Services) Ltd.

  Road Schemes (Batz)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures he has taken to ascertain whether increase in volumes of traffic resulting from the improvements to the A46 from Upper Swainswick to Tormarton, together with the Swainswick Batheaston bypass will cause pollution in the centre of Bath to exceed European Union limits;

  (2) what are his Department's predictions for increases in numbers of vehicles per day, through Bath once the Upper Swainswick to Tormarton road scheme has been completed;

  (3) what is the current cost benefit analysis of the Swainswick section of the Swainswick-Batheaston bypass.

  Mr. Key
  These questions are operational matters for the Highways Agency. The chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, is writing to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Don Foster, dated 22 June 1994:
  Trunk roads around Bath
  A4/A46 Batheaston/Swainswick bypass and
  Upper Swainswick-Tormarton improvement
  I am writing in response to your three recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport about trunk road schemes near Bath. These are matters for which the Highways Agency is now responsible. Perhaps I may take your three questions in turn.
  Question 2648—What is the current cost benefit analysis of the Swainswick section of the Swainswick/Batheaston Bypass?
  Answer—The benefit to cost ratio for the Batheaston/Swainswick Bypass is 1.32:1. However, there are no figures available for just the Swainswick section as the analyses undertaken were concerned with the whole of the scheme.
  Question 2647—What are the predictions for increases in numbers of vehicles per day, through Bath, once the Upper Swainswick to Tormarton road scheme has been complete?
  Answer—The trunk road improvements will improve access to Bath, but through north/south traffic must still cross Cleveland Bridge. The amount of traffic with a destination in Bath is unlikely to change but some redistribution on roads within Bath may occur. It will continue to be limited by the traffic restraint measures imposed by the Highway Authority and the number of parking spaces provided in the city. In the longer term we see the A36 East of Bath to Beckington scheme in combination with Batheaston and Swainswick bypasses helping through traffic to avoid Bath.
  Question 2646—What measures have been taken to ascertain whether increase in volumes of traffic resulting from the improvements to the A46 from Upper Swainswick to Tormarton, together with the Swainswick/Batheaston bypass will cause pollution in the centre of Bath to exceed European Union limits?
  Answer—A traffic study has indicated up to 600 vehicles per day may transfer from other routes within Bath to the London

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  Road West as indicated in Mr. Nutt's letter of 28 March 1994. This will have no measurable effect on pollution in the centre of Bath.
  Construction work on the Batheaston-Swainswick bypass started in March this year. The work is programmed for completion in 1996. Development of the Swainswick Tormarton improvement is at a comparatively early stage, and is subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funds.

  Railways (Disabled Access)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers and duties he has to provide, or encourage the provision of, adequate access for disabled people to railway stations and rolling stock throughout the United Kingdom; what plans he has to seek new powers and/or duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I attach great importance to making provision for disabled people travelling on the railway. The Railways Act 1993 imposes a specific duty on the Rail Regulator to have particular regard to the interests of disabled people and requires him to draw up and encourage the adoption and implementation of a code of practice for protecting the interests of disabled users of rail passenger services and stations. As a condition of their licence, all operators of passenger services or stations are required to establish and comply with a statement of policy and detailed arrangements, procedures, services and other benefits to protect the interests of disabled people, taking account of the regulator's code of practice. The policy and arrangements have to be approved by the regulator.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Transport when he next plans to meet representatives of the privatised rail industry in Scotland to discuss the lack of access for disabled people to the premises and rolling stock at Gilmour Street station in Paisley; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have no plans to meet representatives of the railway industry in Scotland to discuss this specific issue. Much of our present railway infrastructure was constructed at a time when less attention was paid to the needs of disabled people. The existence of a code of practice, to be published shortly by the Rail Regulator, will mean that when new facilities are being designed, or old facilities refurbished, there will be a statutory code to which the designers can look to ensure that disabled passengers' needs are not forgotten. A sensible input at an early stage in the design can make all the difference and be of benefit to all passengers.

  Harbours (Waste Disposal)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what means the Government will introduce to encourage port and harbour authorities to evaluate and set an integrated port fee which includes an appropriate charge for the disposal of waste such as oily waste, garbage and unwanted chemicals.
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  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce integrated harbour fees incorporating fees for handling oily wastes in order to encourage ships to use port waste-handling facilities.

  Mr. Norris
  The Marine Safety Agency is currently undertaking a comprehensive survey of the current provision of reception facilities in United Kingdom ports. Analysis of the survey results will indicate the extent to which charges for the use of reception facilities are integrated into harbour fees. Based on this information, the Government will decide what further action, if any, needs to be taken.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the United Kingdom Government will seek through the International Maritime Organisation a requirement that when garbage is discharged from a ship at shore an entry is placed in the ship's log and that such entries are subject to checking.

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom is taking an active role at IMO in the development of shipboard waste management plans and record keeping procedures for the discharge of garbage. Record books for the disposal of garbage will, when they are introduced, be subject to checks by port state control inspectors to ensure that the regulations are being complied with.

  Great Yarmouth Harbour
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has examined the need for an outer harbour at Great Yarmouth; and what plans he has to secure EU funding for such a harbour.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 21 June 1994]: Last year, as part of the study by the European Commission of trans-European transport networks, my Department invited ports to submit proposals for projects which fulfilled certain criteria designed to identify projects of Community interest. The Great Yarmouth port authority put forward a proposal for an outer harbour which appeared to meet the criteria. My Department therefore forwarded this proposal to the Commission, along with more than 100 other port projects, but without prejudice to any European or United Kingdom approvals which might be required, whether for statutory, planning or financial purposes.

  Although the Commission initially identified the Great Yarmouth proposal, with many other port projects, as potentially of common interest, the Commission's present position on financial support for ports projects generally, or for individual projects, is not resolved. Nor have I yet decided whether to support the project for EU funding.

  Rural Post Offices
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the likely impact of rural post office closures on total car use in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  No such assessment has been made.

  BRITISH PRESS: FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
  BRITISH PRESS: FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
  CARE OF THE MENTALLY ILL IN THE COMMUNITY: REPORT RESPONSE
  CARE OF THE MENTALLY ILL IN THE COMMUNITY: REPORT RESPONSE
  FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT: REVIEW REPORT
  FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT: REVIEW REPORT
  CHINOOK HELICOPTERS: RADAR EQUIPMENT
  CHINOOK HELICOPTERS: RADAR EQUIPMENT
  DOMESTIC WORKERS FROM OVERSEAS
  DOMESTIC WORKERS FROM OVERSEAS
  DEPUTY CIRCUIT JUDGES: APPELLATIONS
  DEPUTY CIRCUIT JUDGES: APPELLATIONS
  NON-DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES: SCRUTINY
  NON-DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES: SCRUTINY