Written Answers of 2 March 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr Burden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of legal aid in connection with actions by council tenants under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and relevant predecessor legislation.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is not possible to identify actions specifically involving council tenants. Nor is it possible to identify actions taken specifically under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act, or any relevant predecessor legislation, since the information is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Where a private individual brings a prosecution under section 82 he would not qualify for legal aid. An individual defending an action may be granted criminal legal aid provided that it was considered to be in the interest of justice and his means are such that he requires assistance.

  Costs
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what variation is permitted within the laid-down guidelines regarding(a) awarded costs and (b) expedited costs in (i) civil and (ii) criminal cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Departmental targets for the payment of costs in criminal proceedings and recent performance against those targets were referred to in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 11 January 1994 at columns 66–68. There are no permissible or formal levels of variation from target. The targets represent realizable but challenging aims for taxing authorities and are used as a means of monitoring and discussing levels of performance. Monitoring is undertaken regularly at various managerial levels in the court service and resources redeployed if necessary to meet fluctuations in workload.

  Payment of costs in civil proceedings is a matter for the parties, rather than the courts. Where the court orders payment of costs within a specific period, it is open to either party to apply to vary the time for payment. Whether the application is granted, and on what terms, is a matter for judicial discretion and will depend on the individual circumstances of each case. Enforcement of the order to pay costs is also a matter for the parties to take forward.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many instances(a) costs and (b) expedited costs were paid within the standard laid down by charter; in how many cases payments were made (i) only after six months and (ii) only after a year or more in each of the past three years; how much money was involved in each case; and if he will make a statement.
  700
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information sought is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  M25
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total cost of(a) construction, (b) maintenance and (c) improvements to the M25 in each year since construction commenced at both current and constant 1992–93 prices.

  Mr. Key
  (a) Construction

  The cost of building the M25 was nearly £1000 million. It was constructed over a period of 14 years between 1972 and 1986 giving an average cost per year of £71.42 million. These are actual costs.

  £ million

  (b) Maintenance

  1990–91

  10·63

  1991–92

  30·73

  1992–93

  24·36

  1993–94

  130·58

  (c) Improvements

  1990–91

  9·31

  1991–92

  14·82

  1992–93

  16·39

  1994–94

  110·70

  1 Estimated spend at current prices.

  Information on spend on maintenance and improvements is not collected for particular routes. The figures given have been collated from a number of different sources and some components have been estimated. Reliable information for the years before 1990–91 is not available.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each scheme relating to the M25 in his Department's current trunk roads and motorways programme with the total cost in each year since construction began up to estimated completion, at both current and constant 1992–93 prices, for(a) junction improvements, (b) increasing capacity and (c) other improvements.

  Mr. Key
  There are three M25 schemes in the roads programme which are currently under construction. The actual and estimated spend for these schemes are listed in the table:

  £ million

  Junctions 15–16

  1992–93

  7·1

  1993–94

  122·9

  1994–95

  15·3

  Junctions 10–11

  1993–94

  11·5

  1994–95

  133·5

  Junctions 7–8

  1993–94

  11·0

  1994–95

  130·0

  1995–96

  115·0

  1Estimated spend at current prices.

  701
  All three schemes are to increase capacity to dual four lanes largely within the highway boundary.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to installing automatic roadside speed cameras as a means of reducing the number of road deaths.

  Mr. Key
  Automatic roadside speed cameras are already in use at sites with a history of speed-related accidents and are proving to be very effective at reducing deaths and injuries.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of evidence from abroad as to the effectiveness of the installation of automatic roadside speed cameras as a means of reducing the number of road deaths.

  Mr. Key
  The use of automatic roadside cameras in other countries was one of the factors that led to the change in road traffic law in 1991 permitting their use in Britain.

  However, it is difficult to translate overseas experience to Britain because of the different social attitudes and enforcement practices.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the British Medical Association urging the installation of automatic roadside speed cameras as a means of reducing the number of road deaths.

  Mr. Key
  There is no record of any formal representation from the BMA about the introduction of speed cameras.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission a study of the installation of automatic roadside speed cameras as a means of reducing the number of road deaths.

  Mr. Key
  Such a study has already been commissioned. The Transport Research Laboratory is monitoring the effects of speed cameras on both speed and accidents. Early results from the pilot project in west London suggest that accidents have fallen by 25 per cent. and the number of people killed or seriously injured by over 40 per cent.

  Roads, Warwickshire
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 118, what traffic surveys have been carried out to establish demand for a means of access from the M45 to the A5 in Warwickshire.

  Mr. Key
  None.

  Malaysian Airlines
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) to what extent and on what occasions since the beginning of 1985 Ministers or representatives of Government Departments have been involved in discussions with the Government of Malaysia, and the Malaysian airline MAS, about increasing the availability of slots for that airline at Heathrow airport;
  702
  (2) to what extent and on what occasions since the beginning of 1985 his Department has been involved in discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority about increasing the availability of slots for the Malaysian airline MAS at Heathrow airport.

  Mr. Norris
  No discussions have been held with any of these parties concerning the availability of slots at Heathrow airport. Slot allocation is a matter for the independent co-ordinator at the airport.

  Governmental talks concerning air services arrangements at which both MAS and British Airways were represented were held with the Malaysian Government in July and September 1985, March and August 1989 and March 1993. In 1985 liberal air service arrangements were concluded involving increases in capacity and amendments to routeing and traffic rights for both sides. For the outcome of the 1989 talks I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 15 Febraury. No further rights were agreed at the talks in 1993 and no dates for further discussions have so far been agreed.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Shares
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax regime applies to payments from share dealings in the United Kingdom received by a person who is resident in the United Kingdom for less than 90 days per year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  All purchases of shares completed within the United Kingdom attract stamp duty. Gains realised on the disposal of shares are liable to capital gains tax if the holder is either actually resident or ordinarily resident within the United Kingdom.

  Alcohol and Tobacco
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the maximum fine for evading duty of £20,000 on imports of wine and tobacco.

  Sir John Cope
  In the magistrates court the maximum penalty for evading duty is the greater of £5,000 or three times the value of the goods. In the Crown court the penalty is unlimited and offenders can be imprisoned. The word "fine" is not used in the Customs and Excise Acts. A penalty is to all intents and purposes the same as a fine.

  Staff Transfers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the rules or procedures concerning bridging loans for permanent transfer expenses and assistance to staff facing serious financial hardships.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Departments are responsible for setting the rules on the expenses that may be paid to members of staff who permanently transfer to another office and who move their homes as a result. The framework of principles under which Departments can determine those rules are set out in the transfer section of the "Civil Service Management Code", a copy of which is in the House Library.

  Food Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions have been received by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise from commission auditors in respect of the examining of food exports entered at any particular port; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  Commission auditors produced a report following their visit to United Kingdom Customs in January 1993. Although satisfied with the number of examinations carried out on food exports, they were not satisfied with the depth and rigour of examinations. After considering the auditor's report, Customs issued more detailed guidance to staff on the standards to be observed when carrying out CAP examinations.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the reasons for the practice of Her Majesty's Customs requiring 5 per cent. of goods exported under the common agricultural policy and clearance through ports have to be examined by completely offloading the goods from the container; what ports this applies to; what consultations have been held with food exporters in this and what delays are imposed by it; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: In a move to combat fraud against Community funds, all EC Customs authorities are required under Council regulation 386/90 to examine a minimum of 5 per cent. of goods on which a claim to common agricultural policy export refunds is made. This procedure applies to all ports.

  Officers must satisfy themselves as to the description, quality and quantity of the goods by checking representative parts of the load. Goods need be offloaded from the container only when they are packed in such a way that officers cannot otherwise gain access to all parts of the load. In their 1993 report, Commission auditors criticised Customs for failing to carry out export examinations in sufficient depth.

  To guard against the risk that export refunds might in future not be reimbursed from EC funds customs recently reviewed their guidance to officers on the standard of examinations. This has led to the prospect of more goods being offloaded for examination than was the case last year. If exporters wish to reduce the likelihood of goods being examined at ports, they may apply for authorisation for local export control, under which the 5 per cent. examinations are undertaken at the exporter's own premises.

  Consultation with trade representatives on procedures for the control of CAP export goods takes place on a continuing basis. I have agreed to meet trade representatives to discuss their concerns over the more rigorous examination procedures.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what charges are made by customs at Felixstowe and other ports for mandatory examination of food passing through the ports under the common agricultural policy; and how many sailings have been missed at Felixstowe because of this requirement since its introduction.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: Customs make no charges at Felixstowe, or any other ports, for mandatory examinations. The question of
  704
  recovery of costs incurred in customs examinations is between the port authority and the exporter. Up to 11 February, six consignments are said to have missed their boat at Felixstowe in 1994 because of Customs examinations. In each case customs had notified that the consignment was required for examination within four hours of receipt of the documents. Subsequent delays in production of the consignment to customs—in one of the cases amounting to seven days—may have contributed to missed sailings.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recommendations EC auditors made on their recent visit to examine the process of mandatory examination of food exports under the common agricultural policy; what representations he has made about these recommendations; and how he intends to implement them.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: As part of the European Community fight against fraud, Commission auditors check that member states are properly carrying out their obligations under Community regulations. If they are not satisfied they may prevent the reimbursement from Community funds of refunds paid by member states to exporters. In the case of the United Kingdom, the auditors made it clear following their 1993 audit that significant disallowance would follow if customs' examination standards were not immediately improved.

  I am advised that the auditors' findings in the United Kingdom were reflected elsewhere in the Community and, as a result, the Commission has reminded all member states of the standards that should be achieved. Customs have reviewed their guidance to officers in order to improve the quality and depth of CAP export examinations.

  Brecqhou
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the United Kingdom tax arrangements for business and commerce conducted in Brecqhou; and what tax regime exists for its residents.

  Mr. Dorrell
  United Kingdom-resident individuals or companies conducting business and commerce in Brecqhou are liable to United Kingdom income tax or corporation tax on profits earned from such activities.

  No direct taxes are imposed on Brecqhou on either residents or non-residents. The only taxes are a nominal charge on the value of property and import duties, chiefly on liquor and tobacco.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 16 February 1994]: The list provides the information which is available within each of my Departments. The values given are approximate and are not the replacement value.

  Government Actuary's Department

  No equipment stolen in the last three years.
  705
  Office of Her Majesty's Paymaster General

  No equipment stolen in the last three years.

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  £

  Approximate value Mobile Telephone

  350·00

  6 Answerphones

  77·00 each

  14 Dictaphones

  120·00 each

  2 Standard Telephone Handsets

  20·00 each

  3 Large Desk Staplers

  66·00 each

  3 Portable Computers

  500·00 each

  4 Scientific calculators

  11·50 each

  4 High energy Light Bulbs

  36·00

  Typist chair

  80·00

  Video Player

  400·00

  Fan

  32·90

  Royal Mint

  No equipment stolen in last three years

  Department for National Savings

  £

  Approximate value

  Pair of Digital Scales

  35·00

  Feature Telephone

  40·00

  Ordinary Grey Telephone

  8·00

  3 Time Delay Humidistats

  50·00

  National Investment and Loans Office

  No equipment stolen in the last three years.

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise1

  1991–92

  27 Personal Computers

  10 Portable Computers

  2 Lap-Top Computers

  15 Printers

  5 Fax Machines

  2 Photocopiers

  Answerphone

  Call Logger

  4 Radio Handsets

  Total Value of goods=£77,725.28

  1992–93

  22 Personal Computers and Software

  5 Printers

  16 Keyboards

  3 Fax Machines

  2 Mobile Telephones

  Tape Streamer

  2 PC Mice

  Monitor

  Camera Lens, Case

  8 Radio Handsets

  Total Value of goods=£60,210.19

  1No breakdown available for individual items.

  Central Statistical Office

  Approximate value

  11 Standard Telephone Handsets

  £22·00 each

  9 Facility Telephone Handsets

  £60·00 each

  Electric Stapler

  £98·00

  706

  Inland Revenue and Valuation Office Agency

  Approximate value (£)

  IT Equipment

  Panasonic Laser Printer

  OKI Dot Matrix Printer

  ICL CPU Board

  Drum Replacement Unit

  2 Equinox Processors

  2 Equinox Tape Streamer

  2 Ampex VDUs

  2 Ampex keyboards

  Security Badge

  Total

  20,000·00

  Panasonic Laser Printer

  1,400·00

  Meridian Hard Disk Drive

  1,000·00

  Amstrad FX Fax Machine

  600·00

  VDU Security Badge

  Grundig Dictating Machine

  18 Calculators

  Stop Watch

  Stationery

  Electric Grundig Dictating Machine

  Blank Floppy Disks

  Training Section Video

  VDU

  Printer (PAYE)

  Printer (CODA) broken

  Total

  12,000·00

  Compaq LTD/286

  MS DOS

  Lotus 123

  Total

  3,000·00

  MS Mouse

  40·00

  Toshiba Laptop

  PaintJet Printer

  800·00

  HP Image Scanner

  2,000·00

  Compaq LTE 286 laptop

  3,000·00

  MS Mouse

  40·00

  Cannon Fax

  440·00

  Agenda Hand Held Computer Organiser

  Mouse Adapter Lead

  Compaq LTE 386 Laptop

  3,000·00

  Interface Card for HP Scanjet

  Desktop Expansion Base for Compaq LTE

  350·00

  Freelance Plus Software

  Compaq 386

  VGA Monitor

  Epson 1050

  Workstation

  HP Laserjet III

  VDU Keyboard

  VDU Keyboard

  Total

  3,179·00

  Compaq LTE 386 laptop

  2 VDUs plus keyboards

  Printer

  Bull VDU plus keyboards

  Total

  3,000·00

  Disk Drive

  Monitor

  Keyboard

  Floppy disks

  Mains Smoother

  Total

  630·00

  707

  Approximate value (£)

  2 x lmb memory upgrade boards from Compaq laptop

  400·00

  2 Software packages

  400·00

  3 Microsoft Mice

  120·00

  Microsoft Mouse

  70·00

  Compaq Contura Notebook and Memory Expansion

  1,600·00

  2 Panasonic Laser Printers

  1,500·00

  HP95 Palm Top

  3,500·00

  ICL Mainframe terminal

  900·00

  ICL Mainframe terminal

  900·00

  Badge Reader

  200·00

  Smith Corona PWP7000 Word Processor

  600·00

  Zenith Bull PC

  1,500·00

  HP Laserjet 3 Printer

  1,000·00

  Mainframe Controller

  5,000·00

  Compaq 386

  1,800·00

  HP Laserjet 3 Printer

  1,000·00

  Epson Printer

  3,300·00

  Toshiba Portable PC

  1,500·00

  Circuit Board for HP Painjet

  100·00

  Artemis Printer

  3,000·00

  Microsoft Mouse

  99·00

  Freelance Software Package and Discs

  500·00

  Hard Disk (84 Mbyte)

  650·00

  Canon Bubble Jet Printer

  300·00

  Compaq 2865 Portable PC

  3,000·00

  Canon Bubble Jet Printer

  300·00

  Microsoft Mouse

  85·00

  3 Floppy Discs

  10·00

  1 Bull Terminal

  3 Bull Terminal

  5 ICL Keyboards

  Fax Machine

  Total

  2,000·00

  Microsoft Mouse

  45·00

  Norton Utilities

  Norton Disk Explorer

  Manual

  Total

  70·00

  Compaq 386 LTE S/20

  MS DOS

  Smart 3.1

  Total

  2,000·00

  3 Deskpro 3865/20 Model 60

  Deskpro 3865/20 Model 40

  CD ROM and Modem

  Prolinea 3/255

  4 Mice

  Total

  10,000·00

  Nokia Terminal

  900·00

  Compaq Laptop LTE

  1,800·00

  ICL DRS 55/20 PC

  Infotec Fax Machine

  2 Panasonic Answerphones

  Portable PC

  Total

  6,000·00

  Canon Printer

  200·00

  MS DOS

  MS Windows

  Word for Windows

  Total

  550·00

  708

  Approximate value (£)

  Compaq 386

  MS DOS

  Smartware 2

  Norton Utilities

  Total

  2,000·00

  Biofolio Computer Art

  150·00

  ICL DRS Controller

  2,000·00

  HP Laser Jet 3

  3,562·00

  2 HP Laster Jet 4

  3,000·00

  Zenith Bull

  Compaq 386

  2 Mice

  Total

  3,500·00

  3 Compaq Deskpro

  Mouse

  Total

  4,500·00

  Canon Photocopier

  Campaq 386

  Epson Printer

  Total

  3,500·00

  6 ICL Tech. 486SX (boxed)

  6,250·00

  Campaq 386

  1,500·00

  Wordstart

  Redundant

  1 ICL CS 386

  1,200·00

  Floppy Discs

  120·00

  3 ICL Processor

  3,400·00

  Amstrad Portable

  900·00

  Pslon Organiser

  320·00

  ICL DRS 55/20

  7 ICL 486 Processor

  Infotec Fax Machine damaged

  Total

  8,000·00

  6 ICL 4865/25 Processors

  6 ICL CS386 Processors

  Total

  12,000·00

  12 ICL CS386 Processors

  12,000·00

  HP Laser Jet 3

  Compaq Prolinea 4/50

  Total

  2,650·00

  Compaq 486 Lite Laptop

  2,500·00

  2 Compaq 486 Lite Laptops

  5,000·00

  Box of Floppy Discs

  120·00

  Development Tapes

  50·O0

  Total value of equipment lost or stolen

  100,287·00

  General Equipment

  26 Video Recorders (2 with remote control)

  23 Microwaves

  11 Cameras

  29 Telephones

  4 Mobile Telephones

  34 Dictaphones

  2 Electronic Typewriters

  9 Televisions

  13 Headphones

  709

  5 Photocopiers

  11 Fax Machines

  4 Dictation Machines

  2 Word Processors

  PC Computer with Printers

  24 CPU (without keyboard or monitors)

  VDU

  4 Printers

  3 Grundig Stenorette

  Approximate value of known goods = £20,10·49.

  £ million

  Administrative Expenditure of the Institutions (Commitments)

  Institution

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Commission

  612

  664

  763

  846

  970

  1,049

  1,152

  1,293

  1,445

  1,734

  1,833

  (percentage annual increase in real terms)

  (1·5)

  (8·5)

  (4·9)

  (10·2)

  (3·6)

  (4·7)

  (6·7)

  (6·0)

  (14·9)

  (2·2)

  Parliament

  177

  176

  224

  255

  287

  288

  322

  372

  445

  479

  503

  (percentage annual increase in real terms)

  (-7·2)

  (20·3)

  (7·8)

  (8·1)

  (-3·9)

  (6·9)

  (9·8)

  (13·4)

  (3·1)

  (1·5)

  Council

  98

  116

  136

  145

  153

  176

  211

  264

  262

  272

  291

  (percentage annual increase in real terms)

  (10·2)

  (11·0)

  (1·0)

  (1·4)

  (10·0)

  (14·6)

  (18·4)

  (-5·7)

  (-0·7)

  (3·4)

  Court of Justice

  23

  23

  29

  33

  37

  44

  50

  56

  63

  69

  72

  (percentage annual increase in real terms)

  (-3·3)

  (15·7)

  (9·7)

  (7·1)

  (13·4)

  (8·5)

  (6·6)

  (6·5)

  (5·0)

  (2·0)

  Court of Auditors

  13

  14

  17

  19

  20

  21

  41

  25

  28

  30

  32

  (percentage annual increase in real terms)

  (-0·8)

  (15·3)

  (7·6)

  (3·8)

  (-0·7)

  (83·9)

  (-41·9)

  (6·4)

  (3·5)

  (4·0)

  Notes:

  1984–1992 figures taken from the annual Statements on the European Community Budget. 1993 and 1994 figures taken from adopted budgets, as amended.

  All sterling figures converted at the rate of £1=1·3243 ecu, the rate notified in the Official Journal as prevailing on the last working day of last year (31 December 1993).

  The Community budget is established on an annual basis. However, ceilings for six main categories of expenditure were included in the financial perspective agreed by the European Council at Edinburgh in December 1992. This included an overall ceiling, in 1992 prices, on administrative expenditure, which is as follows:

  Appropriations for commitments

  Administration

  £ million

  Percentage increase

  1995

  2,703

  —

  1996

  2,786

  3·1

  1997

  2,869

  3·0

  1998

  2,907

  1·3

  1999

  2,945

  1·3

  Note: Converted at the rate of£1=1·3243 ecu, the rate notified in the Official Journal as prevailing on the last working day of last year (31 December 1993).

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Tax
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many proposals to amend council tax valuations have been received by each valuation office in England; how many of these have been settled to date; what percentage this represents of the total; and what is the number and percentage of settled proposals which have involved an amendment to the original valuation banding.
  710

  EC Expenditure
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will produce a table to show the total expenditure of the EC institutions, including their predecessors and components parts, in pound sterling for each of the last 10 years and for that forecast for the current year and that planned for the next five years and the percentage annual increase in real terms for each of those years.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: Administrative expenditure for each of the Community institutions and the percentage annual increase in real terms for the last 10 years are as follows:

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 17 February,Official Report, column 967.

  Details of the percentage of settled proposals which have involved an amendment to the original valuation banding and those which have been withdrawn by the proposer are not collected centrally.

  Peat
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the membership of his Department's working group into peat and related matters and their occupations.

  Mr. Baldry
  The current membership of the working group into peat and related matters is as follows:

  Mr. R. C. Mabey—DOE Minerals Division (Chairman)

  Miss A. E. Ward—DOE Minerals Division

  Dr. T. Simpson—DOE Minerals Division

  Mr. R. Bunce—DOE Directorate of Rural Affairs

  Mr. S. G. Fulton—Scottigh Office Environment Department

  Mr. P. Samuel—MAFF Land Use Planning Unit

  Ms A. Corbishley—MAFF Horticulture Division

  Dr. J. Blackman—MAFF Agricultural Development and Advisory Service

  Mr. D. M. Ellis—Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  Mr. S. Gorman—Cumbria County Council

  Mr. S. Shorthose—Humberside County Council

  Mr. R. Moon—Somerset County Council

  Mr. D. Henderson—Howat-Forestry Authority

  Mr. D. Stroud—Joint Nature Conservation Committee

  Ms J. Heap—English Nature

  Dr. B. Johnson—English Nature

  Mr. R. Lindsay—Scottish Natural Heritage

  Dr. M. Smith—Countryside Council for Wales

  Mr. R. Woolmore—Countryside Commission

  711

  Dr. B. Wheeler—Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield

  Mr. R. Stockdale—Chairman, Peat Producers Association

  Mr. R. Bond—Peat Producers Association

  Mr. A. Robertson—Peat Producers Association

  Mr. R. Sykes—DOE Minerals Division (Secretary)

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, columns 733–34, what was the budgeted and actual cost of each public information campaign listed.

  Mr. Baldry
  Following is the information required:

  Helping the Earth Begins at Home

  The budget for this campaign is £6,383,520·65.

  Actual contracts awarded to 25 February 1994 are £6,242,032·08.

  Rent to Mortgage

  The budget for this campaign is £411,434·23.

  Actual contracts awarded to 25 February 1994 are £408,543·18.

  These figures cover all TV, press and radio advertising costs and promotional items.

  Chewing Gum
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the advice available and research undertaken into the removal of chewing gum from brick pedestrian precincts for local authorities.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has not issued any advice or undertaken any research into methods of removing chewing gum. This is a matter for local authorities in view of their responsibilities for street cleansing. I am aware, however, that Westminster city council is currently testing equipment aimed at dealing with this problem.

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Foundation staffing and support costs

  360,000

  418,350

  711,256

  1,261,503

  1,544,950

  Trusts' running costs

  1,039,000

  1,170,025

  1,292,407

  1,622,319

  1,521,017

  Projects

  54,000

  70,000

  76,353

  390,721

  1,145,766

  Computer systems

  0

  0

  0

  283,772

  199,037

  Training

  0

  18,000

  37,790

  181,183

  272,230

  Total grant allocation

  1,453,000

  1,676,375

  2,117,806

  3,739,498

  4,683,000

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he determines that a proposed Groundwork trust will not adversely affect existing environmental charities in the area.

  Mr. Atkins
  The proposal for Groundwork trust is worked up by local people in partnership. A steering group is formed comprising members of the. local authority, business community and voluntary organisations and community groups in the area. The Groundwork Foundation gives guidance to the steering group working up a proposal and seeks to ensure that the trust will work in partnership with, and complement the work of, existing environmental agencies.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if Groundwork trusts have paid money to other environmental charities to advance projects under Groundwork's remit.

  Mr. Atkins
  Yes. Groundwork trusts work in partnership with other environmental organisations and
  712

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received from the Health and Safety Executive regarding work-related upper limb disorders in the construction industry.

  Mr. Baldry
  None.

  Groundwork
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what suggestions have been made during his Department's internal review of Groundwork as to how links between Groundwork trusts and existing environmental charities could be improved with particular reference to funding arrangements.

  Mr. Atkins
  As part of the Department's internal review of its sponsorship of Groundwork, officials are currently carrying out consultations with a number of Groundwork's partners and customers, including environmental organisations. The present funding arrangements for Groundwork will be considered as part of the review.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 732, if he will provide a breakdown of spending of the grant-in-aid given to the Groundwork Foundation for each year from 1988–89 to 1992–93 using the same categories as he used in his previous answer.

  Mr. Atkins
  The table shows the breakdown of spending of the grant-in-aid allocated to the Groundwork Foundation for each year from 1988–89 to 1992–93.

  community groups in undertaking projects and will assist them in putting together the most appropriate funding package. Groundwork trusts may also themselves provide funding to assist other environmental groups.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what limits he sets on the spending of a Groundwork trust.

  Mr. Atkins
  None. The Department makes a contribution to the running costs of Groundwork trusts. Trusts may also apply for relevant grants for projects in competition with other organisations.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he gives to Groundwork trusts to help them avoid adversely affecting existing environmental charities.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Groundwork Foundation is responsible for managing the network of Groundwork trusts. One of the criteria the Department advises the foundation to adopt in considering the case for a new trust is that it will
  713
  complement the work of existing local organisations. Once established, trusts are encouraged to work in collaboration with such organisations.

  Art (Merseyside)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who appointed the members of the advisory group to which the Merseyside development corporation refers its public art initiatives; and how often they meet.

  Mr. Baldry
  The advisory group which provides informal advice on the Merseyside development corporation public arts initiative is drawn from a wide range of arts organisations on Merseyside. Representatives from these organisations have been invited to join the group by Mrs. Paula Ridley, MDC board member and chairperson of the group. The group meets four times a year.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names of the advisory group to which the Merseyside development corporation refers its public art initiatives, their qualifications and place of birth.

  Mr. Baldry
  The membership of the advisory group on Merseyside development corporation's art initiative is drawn from Merseyside art institutions. It is an ad hoc body with no statutory responsibilities and as such my Department does not keep records of names, qualifications and places of birth.

  Housing Capital Receipts
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what housing capital receipts are held by each London borough council as at 31 March 1993.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on total usable capital receipts held at 31 March 1993 is given in the table. No comparable information is available for housing receipts alone, since local authorities are not required to account separately for such receipts.

  £ thousands

  Barking and Dagenham

  21,587

  Barnet

  22,428

  Bexley

  4,560

  Brent

  1,269

  Bromley

  30,230

  Camden

  2,060

  City of London

  20,220

  Croydon

  nil

  Ealing

  10,059

  Enfield

  13,274

  Greenwich

  nil

  Hackney

  17

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,317

  Haringey

  5,576

  Harrow

  17,221

  Havering

  7,450

  Hillingdon

  20,923

  Hounslow

  6,163

  Islington

  792

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,486

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,960

  Lambeth

  804

  Lewisham

  2,200

  Merton

  nil

  Newham

  nil

  Redbridge

  8,372

  Richmond upon Thames

  14,631

  Southwark

  nil

  714

  £ thousands

  Sutton

  2,860

  Tower Hamlets

  4,194

  Waltham Forest

  4,077

  Wandsworth

  14,819

  Westminster

  22,787

  Source: Local authority returns.

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what authority the London Docklands development corporation funds voluntary organisations for three years only.

  Mr. Baldry
  The London Docklands development corporation has delegated authority from the Department to take their own decisions about support for individual voluntary sector projects which are consistent with their regeneration objectives. The Department's own policy is that such grants should not normally exceed three years in the first instance.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the financial reserves held by each London borough council as at 31 March 1993.

  Mr. Baldry
  The latest available information, as reported to the Department by the local authorities, is as follows:

  Estimated General Fund reserves at 31 March 1993

  £ thousands

  City of London

  184,989

  Camden

  -146

  Greenwich

  1,583

  Hackney

  2,516

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0

  Islington

  1,367

  Kensington and Chelsea

  12,401

  Lambeth

  -10,032

  Lewisham

  3,009

  Southwark

  7,225

  Tower Hamlets

  14,096

  Wandsworth

  32,064

  Westminster

  24,301

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  Barnet

  14,835

  Bexley

  7,830

  Brent

  -1,235

  Bromley

  59,369

  Croydon

  29,939

  Ealing

  26,051

  Enfield

  16,084

  Haringey

  10,939

  Harrow

  21,242

  Havering

  15,387

  Hillingdon

  5,536

  Hounslow

  7,023

  Kingston upon Thames

  3,933

  Merton

  9,952

  Newham

  14,391

  Redbridge

  7,688

  Richmond upon Thames

  6,522

  Sutton

  7,982

  Waltham Forest

  6,726

  Local Government (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a decision on the Commission's report on the future of local government in Gloucestershire.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of Tuesday 1 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman),Official Report, column 643.

  Senior Regional Director, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to appoint the senior regional director for London; and what are the terms of reference and duties which he intends to give to that person.

  Mr. Baldry
  We hope to announce the appointment of the regional director for the Government office for London in the near future. The duties of the regional director will be those set out in my earlier reply to the hon. Gentleman,Official Report, 8 February, column 146.

  Council Tenants
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost to local authorities of actions by council tenants under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the relevant predecessor legislation for each year since 1989.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not held centrally.

  Hertsmere District Council
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking over allegations of curruption and irregular property dealings in Hertsmere district council.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is not a matter for the Government. Allegations of corruption by local authorities should be made to the district auditor or the police for them to investigate.

  New Towns
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contributions have been made by the Commission for New Towns towards promotional activities in each local authority convered by a former new town development corporation since 1988.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information is as follows:

  Local authority area

  Contribution £ thousands

  1988–89

  Corby D.C.

  100·0

  Peterborough C.C.

  80·5

  West Lancashire D.C.

  122·0

  1989–90

  Easington D.C.

  5·0

  Peterborough C.C.

  169·0

  Warrington B.C.

  6·0

  West Lancashire D.C.

  100·0

  716

  Local authority area

  Contribution £ thousands

  1990–91

  Easington D.C.

  5·0

  Halton B.C.

  68·5

  Peterborough C.C.

  132·0

  West Lancashire D.C.

  50·0

  1991·92

  Halton B.C.

  158·5

  Peterborough C.C.

  100·0

  Warrington B.C.

  75·0

  West Lancashire D.C.

  25·0

  The Wrekin

  76·5

  1992–93

  Halton B.C.

  166·0

  Milton Keynes B.C.

  2,500·0

  Peterborough C.C.

  72·0

  Warrington B.C.

  75·0

  West Lancashire D.C.

  25·0

  The Wrekin

  170·0

  1993–94

  Halton B.C.

  165·0

  Milton Keynes B.C.

  1,450·0

  Peterborough C.C.

  40·0

  Warrington B.C.

  75·0

  West Lancashire D.C.

  25·0

  Local Government Commission
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters responding to the draft and final report of the Local Government Commission were riot considered by the commission as they were ruled to have arrived after the deadline for representations in relation to the commission's proposals for Humberside; in what circumstances letters sent in response to earlier consultations by the Local Government Commission in relation to Humberside were ignored after deadlines; and if he will give a breakdown of letters received in terms of support for the various options put forward by the commission in response to both the draft and final report in relation to proposals for Humberside.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter for the Local Government Commission and I have written to it today asking it to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Waste Shipments
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further action is needed in the United Kingdom to implement Council regulation (EEC) No. 259/93, the waste shipments regulation.

  Mr. Atkins
  I announced on 7 February that the United Kingdom had ratified the Basel convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal. The waste shipments regulation, which comes into operation on 6 May, provides the legal framework for implementing the obligations of the convention in the European Community.

  Most of the regulation is directly applicable throughout the Community, but domestic regulations are required to give full effect to a number of provisions. The Government have just issued a draft statutory instrument for consultation, accompanied by a draft circular giving

  717
  guidance on the implementation of the EC regulation in the United Kingdom. Copies of both documents have been deposited in the Library.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, columns 733–34, if he will place in the Library the results of market research relating to the advertising campaigns; and how many coupon/telephone responses were received to each campaign in this financial year.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department will place copies of market research relating to the "Helping the Earth Begins at Home" and rent-to-mortgage campaigns in the House of Commons Library.

  Coupon/telephone responses for these campaigns in this financial year, to 25 February 1994, are:

  Helping the Earth Begins at Home

  Telephone—12,080

  Coupon—19,520

  Rent-to-mortgage

  Telephone—7,486

  Coupon—10,281

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: Women accounted for 29 per cent. of all public appointments made by my Department in 1993 to non-departmental public bodies and nationalised industries.

  Toxic Waste (Crime)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the plans for the National Criminal Intelligence Service to investigate the extent of organised crime within the toxic waste industry in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is currently no evidence to suggest that organised crime has infiltrated the United Kingdom's toxic waste industry.

  The National Criminal Intelligence Service is in touch with relevant agencies elsewhere in Europe and the United States and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill [Lords] on referrals from the private sector to the Insolvency Service for investigations leading to prosecution under the proposed involvement of the private sector in mechanical processing work of the Insolvency Service.
  718
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  It is not apparent that the provisions of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill will have any affect on the possible involvement of the private sector in the work of the Official Receiver.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much the Insolvency Service executive agency spent on consultants in total for each financial years since 1991–92 and in the current financial year to 31 January.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The total amounts spent on consultants employed by or engaged in work for the Insolvency Service were:

  £

  1991–92

  659,480

  1992–93

  698,930

  1993–941

  790,800

  1 To 31 Januaiy 1994.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff were dismissed from the Insolvency Service executive agency in the years 1991, 1992 and 1993; and if he will give the reasons.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The following numbers of staff were dismissed during the relevant years:

  Number

  1991

  2

  1992

  5

  1993

  6

  Dismissal was for a variety of reasons.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many private consultants were employed by the Insolvency Service in each financial year since 1991–92 and in the current financial year to 31 January.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The following numbers of private consultants were employed by or engaged in work for the Insolvency Service:

  Number

  1991–92

  16

  1992–93

  18

  1993–941

  20

  1 To 31 Januaiy 1994.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the report of the pre-operational safety review team mission to Sizewell B will be published.

  Mr. Eggar
  Copies of the report of the pre-operational safety review team mission to Sizewell B have been received from the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and placed in the Library of the House. In October and November 1992, the team conducted a review of the operational safety arrangements at Sizewell B at the invitation of Her Majesty's Government, following a suggestion from Nuclear Electric, the operators of Sizewell
  719
  B. As I informed the House on 16 December 1992, Official Report, column 237, the review team concluded that Sizewell B is a well-managed nuclear plant.

  It is normal practice for a pre-OSART review to be in two stages. A follow-up visit, with a smaller team, took place on 14 to 18 February.

  Oil Exploration
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the level of exploration drilling on the United Kingdom continental shelf last year and the number of those wells successful in locating hydrocarbons; and if he will make a statement on the trend revealed.

  Mr. Eggar
  Fifty-one exploration wells were drilled last year, a figure lower than in recent years but still comparing favourably with the late 1970s and early 1980s when levels were lower. Thirteen significant discoveries were made in 1993, giving a one in four success rate. The average since exploration began in 1964 is about one in 4·5.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects manufacturing output to exceed the levels of 1990.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Latest official forecasts of manufacturing output were published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1994–95", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Foreign Ownership
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 741, what assessment he has made of the extent to which transfer of control of other firms from the United Kingdom to other countries will increase the living standards of the British people.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The effects of any particular acquisition must be judged on a case-by-case basis. However, in general the Government believe that open markets will be beneficial to economic growth.

  Klockner Werke Steel Plant
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations the Government have made to the European Commission on the decision of a public sector consortium led by the Bremen regional government to purchase and maintain the Klockner Werke steel plant.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Following representations made by my officials on 4 November I raised our concerns regarding public sector participation in the restructuring of Klockner Werke directly with Commissioner van Miert on 9 December and wrote to him about them on 15 December.

  European Steel Industry
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations the Government have made to the European Commission on the issue of declaring a state of manifest crisis in the European steel industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.
  720

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes it is proposed to introduce in relation to fire safety in the regulations in relation to children's nightwear; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 regulate for fire safety in children's nightwear. These regulations are being considered as part of the overall review of legislation under the deregulation initiative. I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Donohoe) on 21 January 1994,Official Report, column 882.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: A total of 239 public appointments were made by this Department in 1993. Forty-seven of these appointments-24·5 per cent.—were women. This Department is fully committed to equal opportunities for women in public appointments, and has set itself a goal to increase the number of women in DTI public appointments to 30 per cent. by 1996.

  RECHAR 2
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the European Commission's proposals for RECHAR 2.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: The European Commission announced on 16 February its intention to launch 13 European structural funds Community initiatives for the period 1994 to 1999. The resources allocated to these initiatives amount to 13·45 billion ecu.

  One of the proposals is for a new RECHAR initiative for assistance to coalfield areas and 0·4 billion ecu has been allocated to it. I shall write to Commissioner Millan to seek a substantial share of the new RECHAR for the United Kingdom.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the names, occupations and employers of the chairpersons and members of all the executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: There would be disproportionate cost involved in providing the names, occupations and employers of the chairpersons and members of all the Department's executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Regional Orchestras
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he will receive a copy of the Arts Council working party report into the funding of the regional orchestras.
  721
  Mr. Brooke
  I understand that the report, which was produced jointly by a group of council members and officers, will be considered by the Arts Council at its meeting on 2 March. The report is a working document for the use of the Council. My Department routinely receives information copies of Arts Council papers.

  Conservation Legislation
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the outcome of his officials' discussions with the Department of the Environment in respect of their review of certain aspects of the legislation to protect ancient monuments, historic buildings and conservation areas, outlined on page 53 of the Government's White Paper, "Deregulation: Cutting Red Tape."

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend and I will be publishing in late spring or early summer the final version of planning policy guidance note 15, which will reflect the outcome of our review of various regulations affecting historic buildings and conservation areas, on which we consulted last year. I shall also shortly be issuing a revised Ancient Monuments (Class Consents) Order, which will clarify and simplify the procedures for the approval of certain minor works affecting scheduled ancient monuments.

  Youth Organisations
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are his current major initiatives involving youth and voluntary youth organisations in sporting or other fields.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Sports Council has commissioned Youth Clubs UK to develop a programme for the delivery of sport within a youth work setting. In addition, a number of youth organisations have received financial assistance from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts. The Arts Council's youth arts fund supports strategic national youth arts initiatives by the national umbrella youth arts organisations. The Department's heritage grant fund also part funds cathedral camps, which enable young people to carry out basic conservation work in our great cathedrals. Youth arts organisations also benefit under the Government's business sponsorship incentive scheme.

  Oakwood Hospital
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he intends to de-list Queen's house and St. Andrew's house at Oakwood hospital in Maidstone.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have not received an application to de-list either Queen's house or St. Andrew's house.

  Merseyside Development Corporation
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what salaries the advisory group concerning public art initiatives of the Merseyside development corporation are paid; and who is the chairman.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  The advisory group which provides informal advice on Merseyside development corporation art initiatives receive no payment or expenses for their contribution.
  722
  The ad hoc group is chaired by Mrs. Paula Ridley, chair of the Tate gallery Liverpool and a trustee of the Tate gallery.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Malaysia
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grant or other financial undertaking was made to Her Majesty's Government in respect of the Sepang airport project in Malaysia; what are the details of the undertakings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We told the Government of Malaysia in February 1993 that we would consider their request for grant finance from the aid and trade provision budget to help develop the new airport at Sepang. No financial undertaking has been given to Her Majesty's Government in respect of this project.

  Middle East
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each project funded by the Overseas Development Administration in(a) Syria, (b) Saudi Arabia, (c) Oman, (d) Qatar, (e) Egypt, (f) Lebanon, (g) Israel, (h) the west bank and Gaza, (i) Iran and (j) Iraq over the last five years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  During the past five years we have not funded any projects through country programme allocations in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Iran and Iraq. My answer of 7 February 1994, to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke), column 70, gave details of the projects we have funded in Oman during this period. I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses lists of the projects that we have funded in Egypt and the occupied territories.

  Arun III, Nepal
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the estimated cost, in pounds sterling, per unit kilowatt hour of energy to be generated by the Arun III project in Nepal;

  (2) how many schemes were considered by the World bank and the Nepali Government prior to the selection of the Arun III 400MW dam scheme; and what was the estimated (a) cost and (b) output of each scheme.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are in touch with the World bank to see if it can provide the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a copy of the environmental impact statement for the Arun III project in the Library.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A copy of the summary environmental impact assessment has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Consultative Group Meeting, Amsterdam
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank and the United
  723
  Kingdom were represented at the ninth consultative group meeting on the common fund for commodities in Amsterdam from 14 to 18 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Neither the United Kingdom nor the UK executive director of the World bank are represented on the consultative committee of the common fund.

  World Economic Forum
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom was represented at the annual meeting of the world economic forum on 28 to 30 January in Davos; what instructions the Government gave to the representative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer attended the informal gathering of world economic leaders in Davos on 28 to 30 January as part of the world economic forum's annual meeting. It was not an intergovernmental meeting, but provided an opportunity for international economic policy makers to discuss longer-term trends in the world economy on an informal basis.

  United Kingdom contributions to the world bank 1984–93

  IDA

  IBRD

  IFC

  Other

  Year

  £ million

  $ million

  £ million

  $ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1984

  169·2

  40·8

  28·1

  —

  —

  —

  1985

  124·3

  5·3

  3·8

  —

  —

  —

  1986

  118·6

  38·0

  26·9

  12·2

  8·2

  —

  1987

  133·0

  28·7

  20·2

  6·1

  3·8

  0·3

  1988

  207·0

  11·0

  6·6

  6·1

  3·6

  0·2

  1989

  169·5

  19·8

  12·6

  6·1

  3·7

  0·1

  1990

  173·0

  19·8

  10·2

  —

  —

  0·1

  1991

  145·9

  19·8

  11·7

  —

  —

  0·6

  1992

  273·0

  19·8

  10·2

  —

  —

  0·5

  1993

  187·3

  19·8

  12·9

  21·0

  14·1

  0·4

  Notes:

  IDA—International Development Association.

  IBRD—International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

  IFC—International Finance Corporation.

  Other—Contributions to various technical assistance activities (e.g. Foreign Investment Advisory Services (FIAS); Africa Project Development Facility (APDF); African Management Services Company (AMSCo); United Kingdom consultants trust fund including contributions paid by the Department of Trade and Industry).

  Contributions to IDA and for technical assistance activities are in £ sterling. Subscriptions to IBRD and IFC are in United States dollars; the second column shows the £ sterling equivalent of payments made.

  World Bank Group
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the final deficit or surplus balance has been for the World bank group for each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Details of net income for members of the World bank group are in the table.

  Malawi
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of current United Kingdom involvement in aid and development projects in Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In response to a question from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Sir T. Arnold) on 7 February, column 67, a list of our current bilateral aid projects in Malawi was placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he takes into consideration when deciding on United Kingdom involvement in aid and development projects in Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Several factors are taken into account including needs, particularly of the poor; progress on economic reform and good government; capacity to implement projects well; and the activities of other donors.

  International Bodies (Budget Contribution)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the annual budget contributions by the United Kingdom to(a) the International bank for reconstruction and development, (b) the International Development Association and (c) the International Finance Corporation for each of the past 10 years in (i) pound sterling and (ii) United States dollars.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested is in the table.

  World Bank Group: Net Income FY84–93 ($ million)

  IBRD

  IDA

  IFC

  MIGA

  FY84

  600

  (71)

  26

  —

  FY85

  1,137

  (65)

  28

  —

  FY86

  1,243

  15

  25

  —

  FY87

  1,113

  106

  54

  —

  FY88

  1,004

  142

  101

  —

  FY89

  1,094

  88

  197

  2·8

  FY90

  1,046

  316

  157

  2·6

  FY91

  1,200

  165

  166

  2·2

  FY92

  1,645

  716

  180

  0·5

  FY93

  1,130

  (149)

  142

  1·1

  725
  Notes: Figures in brackets indicate a deficit.

  FY=Fiscal Year (July-June).

  IBRD=International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

  IDA=Intemational Development Association.

  IFC=International Finance Corporation.

  MIGA=Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

  Name

  Date in service

  Number of units and size (MW)

  Installed capacity (MW)

  Rated capacity (MW)

  Actual energy (Gwh/yr)

  Pan auti

  —

  3x0·8

  2·4

  2·4

  0

  Trisuli

  1962

  7x3·0

  21·0

  18·0

  114·6

  Sunkosi

  1973

  3x3·5

  10·5

  8·6

  56·7

  Gandak

  1979

  3x5·0

  15·0

  9·4

  43·8

  Kulekhani I

  1982

  2 x 30·0

  60·0

  60·0

  154·7

  Devighat

  1983

  2x4·7

  14·1

  14·1

  89·7

  Kulekhani II

  1986

  2 x 16·0

  32·0

  32·0

  95·0

  Marsyangdi

  1989

  3 x 23·0

  69·0

  69·0

  462·0

  Andi Khola

  1991

  3x 1·7

  5·1

  5·0

  44·4

  Sub-Total

  —

  —

  229·1

  218·5

  1,060·9

  Miscellaneous Small Hydro

  —

  —

  7·0

  7·0

  23·2

  Total

  —

  —

  236·1

  225·5

  1,084·1

  In addition, the latest available data indicate installed thermal capacity of about 55 MW. Reliable estimates of current demand levels are not readily available, but over the course of the last year load shedding has been an almost daily occurrence in Nepal, indicating regular shortages of power.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much overseas aid has been given to Mozambique each year since 1980, expressed in money terms, real terms on 1980 and as a real term percentage increase or decrease on the previous year.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The figures are listed in the table:

  Gross public expenditure to Mozambique 1980—1992–93

  £000s

  Gross public expenditure

  Constant 1980 prices

  Percentage change (year on year)

  1980

  4,629

  4,629

  —

  1981

  5,379

  4,827

  +4

  1982

  1,924

  1,606

  -67

  1983

  1,805

  1,431

  -11

  1984

  4,182

  3,169

  +122

  1985

  8,366

  5,997

  +89

  1986

  7,424

  5,153

  -14

  1987

  23,836

  15,764

  +206

  1987–88

  20,747

  14,043

  —

  1988–89

  34,834

  22,095

  +57

  1989–90

  20,839

  12,359

  -44

  1990–91

  26,171

  14,363

  +16

  1991–92

  18,087

  9,335

  -35

  1992–93

  34,141

  16,970

  +82

  Note: British Aid Statistics changed to reporting on a financial year basis from 1987.
  726

  Nepal
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current number of hydro-electric plants in Nepal; how many megawatts each produces; what is the total estimated electricity need of Nepal; and what percentage of that need is expected to be produced by each of the existing hydro-electric plants.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The table shows the current list of hydro-electric plants on the interconnected system in Nepal.

  Assisted Capital Projects
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish all Overseas Development Administration assisted capital projects over £5 million in value by country and purpose.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Consultants and Accountants
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contracts his Department has with Price Waterhouse; and what is their value.

  Mr. Ancram
  Current contracts with Price Waterhouse are:

  Pilot market test of typing services.

  Pilot market test of messengers.

  Review of the existing financial systems within Estate Services

  Division (DHSS) and reporting on the necessary adjustments

  to satisfy market testing and possible agency status.

  Efficiency scrutiny and evaluation of "Relate (NI)".

  Option appraisal to identify best way forward for value for money audit work.

  Follow-up of a number of value for money studies at selected hospital sites.

  Assisting DHSS develop a strategic approach to personnel management.

  Preparation-monitoring monthly financial position of a client company of IDB.

  Financial company appraisal of Mivan Windows.

  Preparation of a strategic plan for a Local Enterprise Agency.

  Business review of Extern.

  In order to safeguard commercial confidentiality, the value of the contracts cannot be disclosed.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the contracts that his Department has with(a) consultants and (b) accountants.
  727
  Mr. Ancram
  The information required is not available from all Departments in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, current contracts under general headings are:

  Consultants

  Accountants

  Capital works

  260

  Nil

  General management

  195

  34

  Information technology

  20

  10

  Privatisation

  12

  8

  Next Steps

  Nil

  1

  Others

  59

  3

  Animal Health
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to ensure that imports of livestock do not erode the animal health status of the Province.

  Mr. Ancram
  Under the single market trade in live animals between member states is subject to common rules. Within these rules the Department of Agriculture is carrying out all the checks permitted on imported animals at the point of destination in Northern Ireland to ensure that the required trading conditions have been met.

  Submissions have been made to the European Commission seeking additional trade guarantees against the introduction of a number of diseases from which Northern Ireland can claim freedom and for which there are no common trading rules.

  Northern Ireland importers and the farming community have been made aware through media publicity and a leaflet and poster campaign of the potential disease risks associated with imported livestock.

  Sheep Dip
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland farmers have been affected through the use of organo-phosphorus sheep dips.

  Mr. Ancram
  No cases of affected farmers have been reported.

  Rural Areas
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of the cuts in hill livestock compensatory allowances and rises in petrol, diesel and car tax on the drift of population from rural areas; and what proposals he has to support the rural areas.

  Mr. Ancram
  With increases in incomes in the less-favoured areas in recent years, assisted significantly by improvements in livestock premiums, much reduced interest rates and controlled inflation, there is no reason to believe that these measures will have any effect on the rate of population change in rural areas. Proposals for the specific support of rural areas are contained in the Northern Ireland structural funds plan (1994–99), which, following wide-ranging local consultation, is currently under consideration by the European Commission.

  Potatoes
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to help potato producers in Northern Ireland to market their produce better.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department has an ongoing programme of advice to both the seed and ware sectors of the industry. Officers are made available on secondment to trading organisations to liaise with farmers to improve the marketability of their ware potatoes. Officers work with farmers and wholesalers to improve the health, quality and general marketability of seed potatoes. The Department's ad hoc advisory staff, research and development facilities and market development staff are available and regularly used by growers.

  Financial support may be available under the group marketing grant scheme, which is designed to encourage the development of commercially managed marketing groups for agricultural and horticultural produce.

  Animal Health
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent bovine spongiform encephalopathy is now on the decrease; and when the ban on exports of bovines and beef can be lifted.

  Mr. Ancram
  Up to 24 February there have been 1,200 confirmed cases of BSE in Northern Ireland compared with approximately 120,000 in Great Britain. While the number of confirmed cases is continuing to rise, there has been a downturn in the rate of increase and in the proportion of younger animals in which BSE is confirmed.

  Under European Community legislation it is prohibited to export from the UK live cattle over six months of age and bone-in beef from herds which had had a case of BSE. The EC scientific veterinary committee in conducting a scientific evaluation of BSE in September 1993 endorsed the Community control measures on BSE. There has been no change in this position. The lifting of the ban would be a matter for consideration initially by the European Commission which is keeping the position under review and has been made aware of the improving disease situation in the United Kingdom.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland has sought financial assistance from the EC veterinary fund to help with its animal health programme.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland submitted an application in 1991 for assistance from the EC veterinary fund in respect of expenditure on animal disease eradication. The application has been unsuccessful to date but the Department's bid remains active in 1994.

  Foxes
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent forecast he has made of the fox population in Northern Ireland; and what consideration he has given to introducing a bounty cull on foxes.

  Mr. Ancram
  No recent forecast has been made of the fox population in Northern Ireland. The bounty scheme
  729
  which ended in 1977 was shown to be having only a marginal effect on the number of foxes and there are no plans to reintroduce such a scheme.

  Earth Tremors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of the last four years, and for the current year to date(a) the location and (b) the Richter scale measurement of earth tremors that have occurred; and what structural damage was reported.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has placed the information requested in the Library of the House. The British Geological Survey has located 1,478 earthquakes in the United Kingdom and the offshore area in the period January 1990 to mid-February 1994. One of these tremors occurred in Northern Ireland on 19 October 1990 at Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, with a magnitude equivalent to 2·5 on the Richter scale. The tremor was caused by the sudden collapse of an abandoned salt mine. Other damage was minimal.
  730

  Electricity Supply
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made with his proposals to introduce an element of competition into the generation and supply of electricity in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to refer the matter to the Monopolies Commission.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  As a result of the restructuring of the electricity industry and the sale of the four power stations in March 1992 to three independent companies, competition has been successfully introduced into the generation of electricity in Northern Ireland. The Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland is charged with the task of introducing arrangements to facilitate the development of competition in supply. The director general reported on his plans for this on 16 December 1993. Any question of a Monopolies Commission reference is a matter for the director general in the first instance. I am not aware that he considers there is any need for this at present.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Youth Initiatives
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his current major initiatives involving youth.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are currently taking action across a wide front. For example, we are promoting safer cities projects focusing on young people and crime; we are issuing fresh guidance on the cautioning of offenders; we are beginning a review of national standards for community penalties; and we have introduced legislation which will enable the courts to deal more effectively with persistent 12 to 14-year-old offenders, to sentence 15 to 17-year-olds to longer periods of detention in a young offender institution, and to order the detention under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 of younger children who have committed grave crimes. We are also supporting over £1 million worth of experimental work in the field of crime reduction, the aim being to reduce the propensity of young people to engage in criminal activity.

  Field Sports
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he received from organisations and individuals prior to the drafting of clauses 52 and 53 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill.

  Mr. Maclean
  During the past two years we have received numerous representations from right hon. and hon. Members; from members of the public; from field sports organisations including the British Field Sports Society, the Moorland Association, the British Association

  Employment

  Non-employment

  Results

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Settled on terms

  101

  74

  174

  11

  13

  2

  Success after hearing

  19

  24

  296

  6

  2

  4

  Dismissed after hearing

  27

  42

  26

  2

  5

  0

  Total

  147

  139

  196

  19

  20

  6

  1 An additional 34 cases were favourably settled by Complaints Officers before any Legal Officers were involved. Figures were not collected on these settlements for previous years.

  2 The 1993 figure includes 78 individual cases against one Yorshire textile company (Haggas) where claims of discrimination by night shift workers were upheld.

  In 1991–92 the CRE spent £800,000 on legal and professional fees. The costs were £1,400,000 in 1992–93 and are expected to be in the region of £1,000,000 for the current financial year.

  Prison Disturbances
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many disturbances have taken place in prisons in England and Wales since January 1993.

  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.
  732
  for Shooting and Conservation, the Association of Masters of Foxhounds, the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles; and from the British Horseracing Board.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research was undertaken by his Department to the drafting of clauses 52 and 53 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill.

  Mr. Maclean
  No formal research was undertaken, although we received many reports of incidents which led to our conclusion that proposals along the lines of clauses 52 and 53 should be introduced.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations and individuals he consulted prior to the drafting of clauses 52 and 53 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill.

  Mr. Maclean
  There was no formal consultation process, but Ministers met informally a number of right hon. and hon. Friends and representatives of field sports organisations, including the British Field Sports Society and the Moorland Association.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much the Commission for Racial Equality has expended on legal fees for cases of alleged racial discrimination over the last three years;

  (2) how many cases of alleged racial discrimination, financed by the Commission for Racial Equality, have been brought over the last three years; and how many were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The results of individual complaints cases taken up by the Commission for Racial Equality are as follows:

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 2 March 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 number of disturbances which have taken place in prisons in England and Wales since January 1993.

  An act of concerted indiscipline can be defined as the refusal by a group of inmates to conform to the normal rules and regulations of a prison.

  An analysis of the incidents reported to the Prison Service Incident Management Support Unit in the period 1 January 1993 to 26 February 1994 reveals that there were 171 recorded incidents of concerted indiscipline.
  733

  Prisoners (Police Cells)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of remand prisoners being held in police cells within the Greater London area on 26 February.

  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 Mr. Tom Cox, dated 2 March 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 number of remand prisoners being held in police cells within the Greater London area on 26 February 1994.

  No remand prisoners were held in police cells in the Greater London area on that date.

  Bail Hostels
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current occupancy rate for bail hostels in the west midlands; and what assessment he has made of the immediate consequence if two of the hostels in the west midlands were closed.

  Mr. Maclean
  The occupancy rate for approved hostels in the west midlands in January, the most recently available monthly figure, was 80 per cent. The probation committee has been asked to identify two hostels for closure, with a requirement to reduce expenditure by £400,000 a year. In doing so the committee will need to assess the options, taking account of local circumstances and the consequences of closure. I have not yet received such an assessment from the committee.

  Police Emergency Services
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made as to the effect on expenditure on emergency police services of the introduction of the APCO 25 service;

  (2) what liason has taken place with other Departments to calculate what savings might be made using the APCO 25 system for all emergency services.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office is in regular touch with a number of other Government Departments on all aspects of radio communications for the emergency services, including the benefits which might be gained from adopting a single standard for all services. Preliminary discussions have been held on the potential benefits of both the APCO 25 and TETRA standards, but final decisions on which of these offers best value for money will have to wait until the two standards have been finalised and products based on them are available.

  Prison Escort Services
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the reasons for the use of private hire vehicles for transporting James Hurley and other persons.
  734
  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 Mr. John Spellar, dated 2 March 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 reasons for hiring a private vehicle to transport James Hurley and other prisoners on 16 February.

  A Prison Service secure cellular van would normally have been used for this escort, but it had been taken off the road on 15 February for emergency repairs to the heating system. The Metropolitan Police were approached for a replacement vehicle but they were unable to supply one. No other source for a cellular vehicle was available.

  As on previous occasions when a cellular vehicle has not been available, a coach was hired from a private company with whom the Prison Service has a contract. The staffing level for a secure, cellular vehicle is normally one senior officer and two prison officers. The hired coach was staffed by an acting senior officer and four prison officers, the level of the escort having been increased because an open vehicle was being used.

  Transgenic Animals
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many project licences were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 1990, 1991 and 1992 for the production or use of transgenic animals in scientific procedures;

  (2) how many designated establishments are currently licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to produce or use transgenic animals in scientific procedures;

  (3) if he will issue a statement on the terms used to define a transgenic animal when compiling the annual Home Office statistics of scientific procedures on living animals.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Sixty-two project licences were current in 1990 for the use of production of transgenic animals; 89 in 1991; and 121 in 1992.

  Forty-six establishments were licensed to breed or use transgenic animals in 1992. Figures for 1993 are not yet available.

  The Home Office statistics treat as transgenic animals those carrying genetic material from other species.

  EU Integration Policy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on views expressed in the European Commission document "European Social Policy: Options for the Union" on the requirement for a successful integration policy.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Secretary of State for Employment will be sending a paper to the Commissioner for Social Affairs at the European Commission before 31 March. This paper will set out the Government's views.

  Police Sirens
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department over what distance he estimates police sirens can be heard; and if he will introduce a lower volume option so that noise pollution particularly in built up areas and at night is reduced.
  735
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The distance over which a police siren can be heard is subject to a number of factors, including the time of day, air temperature and location. Most vehicles are fitted with a control for the siren to enable its volume to be reduced if circumstances permit.

  Immigrants and Refugees
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what longitudinal studies have been conducted on the economic performance of immigrants and refugees and the factors which contribute to their successful integration into the British labour market.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No such longitudinal studies have been published, though some studies in progress will be able to address some of the questions raised by the hon. Member. Several Government Departments are collaborating in mounting the "Working Lives Survey", a major sample survey of people's experience of work. The Home Office contribution to this study is paying for an additional "booster" sample of 2,000 respondents from the main ethnic minority groups. Some of the ethnic minority respondents will be immigrants, although it will not be possible to distinguish between refugees and other immigrants. Results should be available during 1996.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, columns 801–3, if he will place in the Library the results of independent survey research, the other relevant measures which demonstrate response to advertising and the result of the independent audit on the buying efficiency of television advertising.

  Mr. Howard
  Research surveys contain commercially confidential information which it would not be right to reveal. I do not therefore propose to have them placed in the Library.

  Nor could the results of the auditing of the buying efficiency of television advertising be revealed without seriously weakening the negotiating position of Central Office of Information agencies which act on behalf of Departments. I can, however, state the primary outcome of each campaign as measured by research, in relation to the objectives given in my answer on 16 February, columns 801–3.

  Electoral Registration
  Awareness of the need to put one's name on a form or register rose from 64 per cent. to 72 per cent. (all groups of potential voters). Within that total, awareness of the need among 16–24 year olds rose from 33 per cent to 49 per cent. The total of ethnic minorities aware of the advertising was 44 per cent. and this will be the benchmark against which future figures will be measured. If those people saying they intended to register as a result of advertising did so, 93 per cent of all groups would be able to vote: 73 per cent. of 16–24 year olds; and 81 per cent. of ethnic minorities.

  Smoke Alarms
  In 1989 ownership of alarms was 31 per cent. of households. Research of the current phase of advertising cannot be completed until after the campaign has finished in March. However, the March 1993 phase had helped push the total to 63 per cent. and my Department is confident of reaching the 70 per cent. target this year.

  Car Crime Prevention
  Ninety per cent. of respondents recognised car crime prevention advertising after the September 1993 phase.
  736
  Sixty-three per cent. said it would make them do more about car security compared with 57 per cent. after the February 1993 phase.

  Special Constables Recruitment
  As of 21 February 1994, there have been 8,410 enquiries, subsequently converting to 4,314 applications as a result of the 1993–94 campaign. Final conversion rates are not yet available.

  Wymott Prison (Fires)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what implications arose from Crown immunity in relation to fire protection at Wymott prison and the fire at that prison last year; and if he will make a statement.

  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 Mr. Peter Pike, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking what implications arose from Crown immunity in relation to fire protection against Wymott prison last year; and if he will make a statement.

  The main aspects of concern over the fires during the disturbances at Wymott prison last year were over the fires started deliberately in the covered walkways. The service-ducts in those walkways had all been insulated in accordance with the Building Regulations appropriate at the time. A review of all prisons of the same era is underway to establish the remedial work needed.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what incidents would be considered by his Department to be covered by the term "special service incidents"; what information he has on the total cost to fire brigades for attendance at such calls for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Special service incidents are those attended by fire brigades for purposes other than fire-fighting purposes. It is not possible to distinguish between resources which are available for the purpose of fighting fires, and those which are available to respond to special service calls. As a consequence, it is not possible to provide information on the cost to fire authorities of attending special service calls.

  British Citizenship
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department is conducting into the factors which influence individuals to make an application to become British citizens; and how the findings of that research could be used to amend current application procedures to encourage more long-term foreign residents to make an application.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A proposal for such research is under consideration, primarily as a contribution towards improving the forecasting of demand. It is unlikely to be directly relevant to the question of encouraging applications for British citizenship.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, columns 801–3, what was the budgeted and actual cost of each public information campaign listed.

  Mr. Howard
  The cost of phases of campaigns completed so far this financial year was:

  £

  Electoral Registration (TV)

  620,000

  Smoke Alarm Installation (TV) Crime Prevention (TV, radio, press, posters,

  1,020,000

  promotions)

  3,459,443

  Special Constables Recruitment (press, posters)

  800,000

  Police Graduate Recruitment (press)

  119,889

  Passport Renewal (press)

  70,000

  The actual cost of those campaigns was as budgeted.

  Further phases of car crime prevention and smoke alarms advertising are currently running at a budgeted cost of £1,820,842 and £1,000,000 respectively.

  Convicted Child Abusers
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks are carried out to ensure that convicted child abusers are unable to work with, or set up, charities whose work brings them into contact with children.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Police checks may be carried out on those who have applied to work with certain national voluntary child care charities which are members of the Voluntary Organisations Consultancy Service, where the nature of the work involves substantial access to children. The current review by the Home Office of arrangements for access to criminal records for vetting purposes may result in checks being made more widely available to the voluntary child care sector.

  Child Battery
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of years to be served in prison for those convicted in each region of child battery in 1993.

  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 Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what was the average number of years to be served in prison for those convicted in each region of child battery in 1993.

  I regret to inform you that the information you have requested is not available. Child battery is counted as an assault offence in the offence classification and is not separately distinguishable.

  Welsh Prisoners
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners from(a) Gwynedd, (b) Clwyd and (c) Powys are currently serving custodial sentences in prisons in England.
  738
  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 Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many prisoners from (a) Gwynedd, (b) Clwyd and (c) Powys are currently serving custodial sentences in prisons in England.

  The available information is for the county of the sentencing court and the latest provisional statistics are for 31 December 1993. On that date the numbers of prisoners held in Prison Service Establishments in England and Wales who had been sentenced by courts in Gwynedd, Clwyd and Powys were 106, 205 and 39 respectively.

  Prison Coach Escape
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prisoners being transported and the number of prison officer escorts in the prison coach escape which took place on 17 February while on its way to Wandsworth prison; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question on the number of prisoners being transported and the number of prison officer escorts in the prison coach escape which took place on 17 February while on its way to Wandsworth prison.

  On 16 February, eight prisoners were being escorted on the National Escort by five prison staff.

  A full inquiry into the escape of two prisoners from this escort is under way. One prisoner was recaptured shortly after by the police but the other remains at large.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers, and at which prisons, have been disciplined in each year since 1991 for the use of racially derogatory or insulting language under the terms of the "Code of Conduct for Prison Officers Race Relations Manual" published in 1991.

  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 Mr. John Cummings, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking about the numbers of prison officers who have been disciplined for using racially derogatory or insulting language since 1991.

  The Race Relations Manual to which you refer was published in 1991 as part of the Prison Service's commitment to equality of opportunity and the elimination of discrimination on improper grounds. It is not in itself a code of conduct, but a manual which consolidates all previous advice and guidance on race relations matters. The Manual makes it clear that the use of racially derogatory or insulting language towards prisoners is not acceptable.
  739
  In July 1993 a new code of discipline was introduced which cites "racial or sexual harassment or discrimination towards inmates, colleagues or members of the public" as specific examples of behaviour which may lead to disciplinary action. Since the implementation of the new code, no instances of disciplinary awards for this type of offence have been recorded. There was no requirement for all disciplinary cases under the pre-July 1993 code of discipline to be reported centrally, but we are aware of the following two cases since 1991, each concerning one officer.

  Prison

  Result

  Date

  High point

  Dismissal

  February 1992

  Leicester

  Written reprimand

  November 1992

  Directorate of Telecommunications
  Dr. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the reasons for declining to insert a clause in the sale agreement for the privatisation of DTELS requiring the purchaser not to change staff terms and conditions without their prior agreement;

  (2) what consideration he has given to offering staff of DTELS a five-year deal protecting the severance and redundancy terms after the organisation is privatised; and what were the reasons for his decision.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The unions representing DTELS staff requested a Government guarantee for the protection of staff redundancy money in the event that the new owner of DTELS become insolvent. They also asked that the new owner should undertake not to vary staff severance terms without consent and that anyone dismissed for refusing consent would be automatically entitled to redundancy payments.

  It is Government policy that there should be a clean break on privatisation. Any argument for special treatment therefore has to be examined on its merits, judged against the perceived risks to the business. In DTELS' case, although it has competitors, it has a strong market position, a reliable and stable customer base and a good record on contract renewal. It was concluded, therefore, that there should be no redundancy money guarantee.

  Staff redundancy terms are protected on transfer by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. While it was not a condition of sale, shortlisted bidders were asked whether they were prepared to give an undertaking as requested by the unions on any future variation of severance entitlements. The preferred bidder, National Transcommunications Ltd., has confirmed that it will fully meet its TUPE obligations. It has assured us that in the period after sale, subject to its strategy and business needs, it will not be seeking to discuss and agree changes to staff terms. It also accepts that any variation in terms would require negotiation and staff, in respect of which it sought to enforce change, would need to have given consent.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding conditions at Blakenhurst prison in Redditch and alleged action of ill-treatment of prisoners; and if he will make a statement.
  740
  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 Mr. Richard Burden, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions asking what representations he has received regarding conditions at Blakenhurst prison and alleged action of ill treatment of prisoners.

  I am aware that you have written to the management contractor at Blakenhurst raising the case of one of your constituents who is held there. As at any prison many of the concerns that are raised by prisoners, their relatives or their representatives are dealt with by the prison management. Prisoners also have access to the Board of Visitors, and they can also make representations to persons and bodies outside the prison, including of course their Members of Parliament.

  I should also explain that, at contracted prisons such as Blakenhurst, a Prison Service Controller is appointed with a statutory duty under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to keep under review, and report to the Secretary of State on, the running of the prison. In fulfilling this function he completes monthly reports to officials; and reports and investigates any particular matters drawn to his attention or of which he becomes aware. This would include any allegations of mistreatment of prisoners and complaints about the conditions at the prison. Many of these issues would be resolved at establishment level.

  If there is any particular issue of concern to you please do not hesitate to let me know.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners and staff were involved in the disturbance at Blakenhurst prison on 24 February; what was the duration of the incident and the extent of injuries and damage; what plans he has to hold an inquiry; and when the chief inspector of prisons will inspect Blakenhurst;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 17 January, Official Report, columns 446–52, regarding assaults in prison establishments, what steps were taken at Blakenhurst to improve prison-staff relations and discipline at the prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answers 1 March 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 2 March 1994:

  HM Prison, Blakenhurst

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director-General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about Blakenhurst prison, concerning prisoner and staff relationships and the disturbance on 24 February.

  Both the controller and the Director General are satisfied that relationships between staff and prisoners and discipline at Blakenhurst are generally good and, as would be expected with a new prison, are improving with greater experience. As at other establishments the director and his staff are always looking to maintain and improve them and to ensure that any breaches of prison rules that do occur are dealt with appropriately.

  Your question was presumably prompted by the level of assaults at Blakenhurst. New prisons tend to record more assaults. In line with experience at other new prisons the number of assaults at Blakenhurst now appears to be on a downward trend, although that trend is likely to be affected by the adjudications which are being undertaken following the disturbance on 24 February, about which you also asked.

  The Director General has appointed an inquiry team, headed by the Prison Service Area Manager for Mercia, which has already started its investigation into the incident.
  741
  A total of 111 prisoners were in the particular houseblock where the incident occurred but not all were involved in the subsequent events. The inquiry will seek to establish, amongst other things, the individual involvement of prisoners. 36 staff were involved in the incident which lasted from 1430 until 2122. Minor injuries were caused to staff and prisoners. Current estimates indicate that approximately £25,000 of damage was caused to the houseblock.

  Unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of State, it is for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons to decide when he wishes to inspect a prison. However, we have been informed that the Inspectorate will commence an inspection of Blakenhurst on 23 May.

  The number and percentage of severe disablement allowance recipients in receipt of the following benefits, and the average amount of the other benefit in payment

  Benefit

  Claimant1

  Average amount2 £

  Percentage

  Partner1

  Average amount2 £

  Percentage

  Income Support (IS)3

  186,000

  56·11

  61·6

  11,000

  52·83

  3·6

  Housing Benefit (HB) without Income Support4

  9,000

  23·75

  3·0

  4,000

  19·43

  1·3

  Community Charge Benefit (CCB) without Income Support4

  14,000

  4·43

  4·6

  6,000

  4·57

  2·0

  Attendance Allowance (AA)5

  82,000

  Not available

  27·2

  Not applicable

  Not applicable

  Not applicable

  1 With the exception of AA, all figures quoted are in respect of benefit units. A benefit unit may be a single person or a couple, both of whom may be in receipt of SDA. AA is paid to an individual.

  2 With the exception of AA, the average amount quoted refers to the benefit unit rather than the individual. In the case of AA benefit is paid to the individual.

  3 The IS figures also include cases where HB and/or CCB are in payment. Source: income support statistics quarterly sample inquiry. May 1993.

  4 There is considerable overlap between HB and CCB, many cases receiving both benefits. Source: Derived from the housing benefit and community charge benefit management information system sample and the income support annual statistical inquiry. The inquiries are 1 per cent, samples of HB/CCB and IS cases in May 1992.

  5 The information refers to cases where AA is combined with SDA and paid to the individual, and there is therefore no information on partners. The average amount of AA in payment to SDA recipients is not available. Source: 1 per cent, sample of claimants to SDA on 4 April 1992.

  Notes:

  1. Information on other benefits which may be in payment with SDA is not available.

  2. The statistics are for Great Britain.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was(a) the number of claimants and (b) the amount spent on (i) invalid care allowance and (ii) carers' premium in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  The available information is in the tables. The information on expenditure on the carer's premium gives data only on the weekly expenditure and in view of the fluctuating caseload should not be used to estimate annual expenditure.

  Invalid care allowance (ICA) beneficiaries1

  Numbers

  1979

  6,349

  1980

  6,648

  1981

  7,098

  1982

  8,005

  1983

  8,847

  1984

  9,494

  1985

  10,284

  1986

  30,587

  1987

  91,392

  1988

  109,334

  1989

  120,816

  1990

  133,912

  1991

  159,324

  1992

  188,717

  1993

  230,313

  742

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the number and percentage of severe disablement allowance recipients who are in receipt of other income by source and average amount of such other income.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested. The latest available information is in the table.

  ICA Expenditure4

  3£ million

  1978–79

  4

  1979–80

  4

  1980–81

  5

  1981–82

  6

  1982–83

  8

  1983–84

  10

  1984–85

  11

  1985–86

  13

  1986–87

  104

  1987–88

  184

  1988–89

  173

  1989–90

  184

  1990–91

  208

  1991–92

  285

  1992–93

  366

  Income support beneficiaries with carer premium

  Numbers

  1991

  2228,000

  1992

  262,000

  1993

  385,000

  Carer premium average weekly expenditure

  £ million

  1991

  0–3

  1992

  0–7

  1993

  1–0

  1 Invalid care allowance unit 100 per cent, count. Allowances current at a point in time between mid-December and mid-January. ICA was

  743
  extended to include married women with effect from 22 December 1984.

  2 Income support statistics annual inquiries, May 1991–92—1 per cent. sample.

  3Income support statistics quarterly inquiry, May 1993–5 per cent. sample. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand. Carer premium introduced October 1990.

  4Departmental report.

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give details of the public appointments he is responsible for making in addition to those identified in "Public Bodies 1993", including non-executive agency and other departmental management boards.

  Mr. Hague
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible for the appointment of trustees to the Maxwell Pensioners Trust, The Maxwell Pensioners Charitable Trust, the Motability 10th Anniversary Trust, The Far East (Prisoners of War and Internees) Fund and Queen Mary's Roehampton Trust. He also appoints the pensions ombudsman, the social fund commissioner and the chief executives of the Department's agencies.

  Child Support
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how long on average it takes the Child Support Agency to make payment of maintenance once an assessment has been completed, broken down by area CSAC;

  (2) what is the average time taken by the Child Support Agency to pursue defaults of maintenance by absent parents.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 28 February 1994:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions about the payment of child maintenance and pursuit of defaulters.

  The average time taken to make a payment is dependant on the method of payment and the frequency as agreed between the absent parent and the Agency's account controller. It is not therefore currently possible to give reliable data on average times broken down by CSAC.

  The Child Support Computer system records individual case records, and automatically flags individual maintenance defaulters to be pursued. For that reason, average times across the Agency are not currently available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fish Exporters
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 586, what compensation has been negotiated for fish exporters for loss of business and dislocation of orders due to action by French fishermen.

  Mr. Jack
  The compensation available under French law from the French regional authorities relates to direct and substantiable losses. We have secured the assurance of the French Government that such claims will be paid, and 744
  the Fisheries Departments will assist all operators in a position to mount claims which are arguably in this category to submit and pursue them with the relevant authorities. Our policy has been to minimise indirect losses not covered by these arrangements, by making it very clear to the French authorities that we require them to ensure that legitimate trade can go ahead. We have also reactivated the arrangements set up last year for police protection to be provided on arrival in France upon pre-notification of arrival arrangements, via the Fisheries Departments, to the French authorities.

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many live animals were exported in 1993.

  Mr. Soames
  Because of delays following the introduction of the Intrastat system, details of the total numbers of live animals exported in 1993 are not yet available. It is not possible to say when they will become available, but when they do I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action her Department is taking to investigate alleged irregularities by Ministry veterinary officers and other officials in relation to the enforcement of regulations controlling the export of live animals; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Moley) on 16 February 1994, at column 847.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 18 February, Official Report, columns 1056–58, if she will publish (a) the take-up rate of publications ordered relating to "At the Farmer's Service", (b) the number of calls monitored relating to the pesticide poisoning of wildlife campaign, (c) the numbers attending seminars relating to the IACS—integrated administration and control systems—scheme and (d) the results of the quantitative assessment of the animal welfare campaign.

  Mr. Jack
  The take-up, to date, of publications ordered relating to "At the Farmer's Service" is 16,500 complete sets and 19,000 individual sections;(b) 1,070 calls have been received relating to the pesticide poisoning of wildlife campaign; (c) the attendance at seminars relating to the IACS scheme was 3,510; and (d) over 21,000 animal welfare leaflets have been distributed via exhibitions at major livestock events.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 18 February,Official Report, columns 1056–58, if she will place in the Library the results of market research relating to each of the campaigns listed.

  Mr. Jack
  Executive summaries of market research relating to the campaigns listed will be placed in the Library.
  745

  Deregulation
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will identify for each of the proposals put forward to Government by the business deregulation task forces, and represented by numbers 96 and 99 in the publication "Deregulation Task Forces: Proposals for Reform"(a) which the Government have already taken action on, (b) which are under further consideration and (c) which are not being considered further.

  Mr. Jack
  In relation to proposal 96, we argued consistently in Brussels during the discussions on reform of the common agricultural policy that a premium scheme for male beef animals with payment in two stages based on age would be very complex to run. Since the reformed new scheme has only recently been agreed, any fundamental changes are likely to be for the longer term. The food, drink and agriculture task force's recommendation will be looked at carefully when such major changes are considered.

  Regarding proposal 99, the Government are considering whether a quicker and simpler system for paying forestry grants could be introduced. This is in line with a Environment Select Committee recommendation made last year. The Government are also considering whether there is scope for more self-regulation by the forestry industry.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis the calculations of average subsidies per hill sheep farm in England were made in her press statement of 30 November and of her answers of 2 February,Official Report, column 737, which indicated an average subsidy receipt for English less-favoured area farms; and if she will account for the difference.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The average quoted in the press statement of 30 November related to the estimated average direct subsidy which would be paid to full-time farms classified as severely disadvantaged area specialist sheep farms in England in 1993–94. This is consistent with the tables which were prepared for the autumn review and copies of which were placed in the Library of the House.

  LFA livestock farms in England: holdings and net farm income by ESU size group

  ESU size group (a)

  Farms partly or wholly in the LFA with any beef cattle and/or sheep (b)

  Farms classified as cattle and sheep (LFA) farms (c)

  Number (June J 992)

  Proportion

  Netfarm income (1992–93) £000

  Number (June 1992)

  Proportion

  Netfarm income (1992–93) £000

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  <8

  5,204

  29

  —

  4,590

  39

  —

  8 < 16

  2,359

  13

  —

  1,909

  16

  3·1

  16 < 28

  2,476

  14

  —

  1,752

  15

  9·4

  28 < 40

  2,041

  11

  —

  1,171

  10

  12·0

  40 < 60

  2,508

  14

  —

  1,184

  10

  19·8

  60 < 100

  2,383

  13

  —

  910

  8

  24·1

  100 < 200

  992

  5

  —

  298

  3

  —

  200 + and over

  127

  1

  —

  28

  0

  —

  All sizes

  18,090

  100

  —

  11,842

  100

  13·7

  Average over all sizes

  36

  —

  —

  24

  —

  —

  Average over 8 ESU

  49

  —

  —

  37

  —

  —

  746
  The figures contained in the written replies relate to the total number of farms in England with at least 50 per cent. of their land in the less-favoured areas classified as LFA cattle and sheep farms and an estimate of the total direct livestock subsidy payments on beef and sheep in the less-favoured areas in 1994. These payments will of course include those to the large number of very small farms and to farms not classified as SDA specialist sheep.

  Hill and Upland Farms
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what information is available from the data collected in connection with(a) the integrated administration and control system and premium claims, (b) the annual farm census and (c) the farm business survey of the number and proportions of (1) all hill and upland livestock farms and (2) hill and upland livestock farms drawing over two thirds of their standard gross margins from sheep, cattle or cattle and sheep, falling into (i) four to 11, (ii) 12 to 15, (iii) 16 to 28, (iv) 29 to 39, (v) 40 to 69, (vi) 70 to 98, (vii) 99 to 199 and (viii) 200 and over British size units; and if she will provide a breakdown of the average net income according to all sources available to the Ministry of farms of each of categories (1) and (2) in each size band;

  (2) what is the average size of (a) all hill and upland livestock farms and (b) all upland hill and livestock farms of four British livestock size units and over, according to (i) the integrated administration and control system and premium claims, (ii) the annual farm census and (iii) the farm business survey.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: The current system of farm size classification uses economic size units based on 1988 standard gross margins rather than British size units which were based on 1980 SGMs. The readily available information from the agricultural census and the farm business survey, based on ESUs, is given in the table. Economic size and type of farm are not recorded on the forms used for IACS or hill livestock compensatory allowance claims. Properly weighted estimates of net farm income for the non-standard farm type covered by columns (1) to (3) of the table cannot be provided without disproportionate costs.
  747
  (a) The relationship between ESUs and BSUs is not straightforward. However, averaged over all farm enterprises in England two ESU are approximately equal to one BSU.

  (b) Breeding and others.

  (c) Farms mainly or wholly in the LFA with more than two thirds of their total SCM in cattle and sheep except farms classified as dairy.

  Herring Gulls
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to whom the single licences were issued in 1990, 1991 and 1992 for the killing of a total of 3,332 herring gulls; and what reasons were given for the application.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]:. These licences were issued to a council in Yorkshire to remove eggs, nests and adult birds for the purposes of preserving public health.

  Bullfinches
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give details of the single licences issued in 1991 and 1992 which resulted in a total of 989 bullfinches being shot; to whom the licences were issued; which premises were involved; and what inspections of the premises were made by her Department before the licences were issued.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: The Ministry issues a general licence each year to allow commercial fruit growers in those areas most affected by bullfinches to kill or take these birds during the period of greatest damage in order to protect their crops. This general licence, which has been approved by English Nature, the statutory conservation agency, is valid from 1 November to 30 April each year and for 1991 and 1992 it was limited to the counties of Essex, Kent and Suffolk; the districts of East and South Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdon in the county of Cambridgeshire; and the district of Stratford-on-Avon and the parishes of Brandon and Bretford, Monks Kirby and Sherbourne in the county of Warwickshire.

  Growers using the licence are not inspected by the Ministry but they are required to send the Ministry a report of the number of birds killed or taken under the authority of the licence. The locations of the farms reporting action under the licence are shown.

  Number of returns

  County

  1991

  1992

  Kent

  9

  14

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  Cambridgeshire (part)

  1

  1

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Appeals (Operation Jackpot)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the average length of time in those cases for which the appeals have already been held relating to Operation Jackpot between the investigator reporting a case to the Crown Prosecution Service as involving a possible miscarriage of justice and the hearing of those cases in the Court of Appeal.

  The Attorney-General: As the necessary information is not at present to hand, I will write to the hon. Member.
  748
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations the Crown Prosecution Service has received from the Police Complaints Authority with regard to criminal prosecutions or disciplinary proceedings against police officers arising out of Operation Jackpot in those cases where the appeals have been heard; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the reasons for the delays in hearing those appeals before the Court of Appeal of defendants which have now been heard in cases relating to Operation Jackpot.

  The Attorney-General
  There are a number of factors which may affect the progress of individual cases. Not all apply in every case. They are (i) the time it takes for the officers to complete their investigation and prepare a report; (ii) review by the prosecution of the material; (fit) the time it takes to list a case in the Court of Appeal; (iv) listing the case for determination of any issues relating to disclosure; (v) preparation of the appeal by the defence.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Attorney-General if the Crown Prosecution Service has received or considered any representations from the Metropolitan police in relation to those appeals which have been heard relating to Operation Jackpot.

  The Attorney-General
  In the course of the review, the Crown Prosecution Service consulted the officer conducting the inquiry and his views were considered.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if the Crown Prosecution Service has considered the potential consequencies for the careers of individual police in relation to its approach to those appeals which have been heard relating to Operation Jackpot;

  (2) if the Crown Prosecution Service in deciding its approach to appeals which have been heard in cases relating to Operation Jackpot has taken account of possible criminal prosecutions of, or disciplinary action against, the police officers concerned.

  The Attorney-General
  No. The approach of the Crown Prosecution Service has been to examine all the evidence, including any evidence tending to suggest that police officers may have committed criminal offences or breaches of discipline, to determine whether the Crown could properly seek to sustain the conviction.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Governor of Hong Kong to discuss future relations with the People's Republic of China.

  Mr. Goodlad
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I look forward to seeing the Governor of Hong Kong during his next visit to the United Kingdom
  749
  from 30 March to 9 April. This will be an opportunity to take stock with the Governor, following the welcome decision of the Hong Kong Legislative Council to pass the first electoral Bill and the publication of the Bill on the remaining electoral issues.

  European Union
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to improve communications between the United Kingdom and other European Union member states.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  At last December's European Council my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary discussed how improved physical and information links throughout the Community could increase the Community's growth and competitiveness. The European Council agreed that the Commission, assisted by a group of personal representatives of heads of government would co-ordinate work on trans-European network projects. The Council also asked for a report on information networks to be prepared by a group of prominent persons who would represent industry and users.

  Yugoslavia
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet his European counterparts to discuss developments in the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will next meet his European Union counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council on 7 March, when developments in the former Yugoslavia will feature on the agenda.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with other Foreign Ministers regarding the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary meets his European Union colleagues regularly to discuss Bosnia. He also maintains close contact on the issue with other Foreign Ministers, including those of Russia and the United States. European Union Foreign Ministers are next due to discuss Bosnia at the Foreign Affairs Council on 7 March.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the United Kingdom's contribution to obtaining a peace settlement in Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom's contribution to both the humanitarian effort and the efforts to obtain a peace settlement has been second to none. We have taken a lead within the European Union efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement, and are working intensively with other interested countries to build on the Sarajevo ceasefire.

  We welcome and support closer United States and Russian engagement on international efforts to secure a settlement.
  750
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Foreign Minister of Bosnia to discuss the latest position in the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last met the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the European Union meeting with the Bosnian parties on 29 November 1993.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from UNPROFOR and NATO on the situation in the Bihac pocket as concerns reports of a resumption of hostilities between Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Government forces.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We receive regular reports on the situation in Bosnia from UNPROFOR through the United Nations. These include the Bihac pocket, where fighting has been reported between both Bosnian Serb and Bosnian Government and Bosnian Government and local Muslim forces.

  Poland
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is proposing to take to strengthen the links between the United Kingdom and Poland.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our relations with Poland are already close and friendly. There are strong and growing commercial links. I believe the one problem between us, the air services dispute, is close to resolution. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to visit Poland later this month.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on current policy respecting Bosnia.

  Mrs Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Bosnia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The continuing ceasefire in Sarajevo, and the recent ceasefire agreement between Bosnian Government and Bosnian Croat forces, are welcome steps towards an end to the fighting. We also welcome the agreement between the Bosnian and Croat Governments initialled in Washington yesterday. This is an important step towards a formal negotiated settlement in Bosnia. We are now working intensively with other interested countries to build on these developments. We still believe that a negotiated settlement between the parties is the only way to end the killing.

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Bosnia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is a continuing process of informal consultation between Security Council members,
  751
  including permanent Security Council members, and with other partners. The most recent formal meeting of the Security Council took place on 14 February.

  European Community Enlargement
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards enlarging the European Community.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  On 1 March, Sweden, Finland and Austria reached political agreement with the European Union on their terms of entry. European Ministers also made progress in the negotiations with Norway. There are still difficult institutional questions to be resolved among the present member states before formal agreement can be completed. But we remain committed to concluding the negotiations at the 7–8 March Foreign Affairs Council.

  Air Strikes
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the use of air strikes to enhance international security.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Air strikes cannot enhance international security by themselves. However, in certain circumstances, as in the case of the UN/NATO operation to end the bombardment of Sarajevo, readiness to undertake air strikes can play a useful role as part of a strategy to bring about a peaceful resolution of conflict.

  Middle East
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the Israeli Foreign Minister to discuss the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans at present to meet the Israeli Foreign Minister, but we expect to continue to have regular contacts with Mr. Peres to discuss the middle east peace process.

  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the middle east to monitor the peace process.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During his visit to the region' from 3 to 7 January, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had useful discussions with key players in the peace process. There are no plans at present for a further visit.

  Tuzla
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his Department's plans for the relief of Tuzla.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  UNHCR convoys are supplying aid to Tuzla by road from Belgrade and Zenica.

  We welcome the announcement in Moscow yesterday that the Bosnian Serbs have agreed to allow Tuzla airport to be opened to humanitarian supplies in the near future.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister took the lead at the NATO summit in proposing that NATO urge the
  752
  United Nations to draw up plans to open Tuzla airport to humanitarian supplies. UNPROFOR has drawn up these plans, which include the possibility of calling for NATO close air support if necessary. These have our full support. As a first stage the Nordic battalion of UNPROFOR is to take possession of Tuzla airport from the Bosnian Government within the next few days. We have offered up to 15 specialists to help to operate the airport.

  Iraq
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his United Nations Security Council partners on the subject of policy towards Iraq; and if be will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Iraq is discussed regularly by the Security Council. We remain determined that Iraq must comply fully with all its international obligations as set out in Security Council resolutions.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the British high commissioner to India and the British high commissioner to Pakistan on the recent allegations of brutality by the Indian security forces against men and women in the Indian-occupied area of Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We receive regular information from Her Majesty's High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad about allegations of human rights abuses by the security forces in Kashmir. We remain concerned that abuses continue to take place.

  Malawi
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress towards the establishment of a multi-party democracy in Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Good progress has been made and the United Kingdom is giving substantial assistance to the transition process. Multi-party elections are to be held on 17 May and voter registration began on 21 February. Political exiles have been allowed to return, and opposition parties legalised. The National Consultative Council is overseeing the transition to multi-party democracy, including the drafting of a new constitution and bill of rights.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has recently made to, or received from, opposition parties in Malawi about the creation of a multi-party democracy in Malawi;

  (2) what representations he has recently made to, or received from, the Government of Malawi about the creation of a multi-party democracy in Malawi;

  (3) what representations he has received from, or made to, individuals, organisations or political parties in other African countries about the creation of a multi-party democracy in Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since the referendum in Malawi last June, we have maintained a regular dialogue with all
  753
  the parties, including the ruling Malawi Congress party, which will be contesting the multi-party elections on 17 May. Most recently my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey met members of all parties during her visit from 27 to 29 January.

  We have responded to requests for help by allocating £270,000 towards the United Nations' electoral assistance project, including the provision of constitutional and boundaries experts. We have had no recent representations from other African countries over Malawi.

  Norway
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations for Norwegian entry into the EC.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Accession negotiations are continuing with Norway after the marathon ministerial session which started on 25 February. Although there are still some difficult issues to be resolved, we remain committed to concluding the negotiations at the 7–8 March Foreign Affairs Council.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Kuwaiti Government about delays in dealing with claims against Kuwaiti nationals who sought refuge in the United Kingdom following the Iraqi invasion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No representations have been made to the Kuwaiti Government on such matters. Claims against foreign nationals formerly resident in the United Kingdom should be pursued by claimants through such legal means as are available.

  Sudan
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom last raised the issue of the civil war in Sudan at the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have not ruled out recourse to the United Nations Security Council but would not want to pursue this option unless we were confident that this would be constructive. We deplore the latest outbreak of fighting in the south, and condemn the bombing by the Sudanese air force of civilian targets. On 21 February we and our European Union partners issued a declaration to this effect, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the peace process in Mozambique and the United Kingdom's contribution to it.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are concerned about delays in implementing the general peace agreement in Mozambique, especially the assembly/demobilisation of forces. The parties must address these delays urgently so that the elections can take place on schedule in October 1994.
  754
  The United Kingdom has made a crucial contribution by training 540 Mozambican instructors to train the unified Mozambican army. We shall continue, in the United Nations and elsewhere, to actively support the Mozambican peace process.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the total cost of United Kingdom aid and assistance to Government and Renamo political and democratic training in Mozambique;

  (2) what assistance he is giving to Renamo in respect of democratic training and the development of political structures.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have made no direct contribution to democratic training in the development of political structures in Renamo or to political and democratic training in Mozambique. We have, however, provided from diplomatic wing funds £18,000 worth of office equipment for Renamo's office in Maputo, and small amounts for three other parties—PCN, PPPM and UNAMO.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the Nyanga training phase of the formation of the new Mozambique defence force.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  British Army instructors trained 540 instructors for the new unified Mozambican army, FADM, from October to December 1993. The latter have now returned to Mozambique, where they will train the main infantry battalions of FADM. A small British Army training team is assisting them. Formation of FADM is a crucial part of the peace process.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact or communication he has had with representatives of Renamo since October 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Renamo leader met my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey during his visit to London on 22 February 1993 and had talks with officials. Our ambassador in Maputo has travelled to the Renamo base in Mozambique several times and my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey met Mr. Dhaklama there on 10 December 1993. We continue to maintain regular contacts with Renamo officials in Maputo, and our ambassador met Mr. Dhaklama there on 27 February.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to, or received from, parties involved in the demobilisation process in Mozambique.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Kingdom is a member of all four commissions set up under the general peace agreement between the Government of Mozambique and Renamo and responsible for overseeing implementation of the peace process. We are active in these commissions to help move the process, including demobilisation, forward. In addition, our ambassador regularly meets both senior Mozambican officials and members of the Government of Mozambique as well as Renamo leaders.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the approximate cost of United Kingdom military aid to Mozambique,
  755
  in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe, each year since 1980, expressed in money terms, real terms in 1980, and as a real term percentage increase or decrease on the previous year.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I am unable to give the figures for United Kingdom military aid to Mozambique: these figures are confidential between the Governments concerned.

  NATO Information Service
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current NATO information service budget; what are the comparable figures in real terms within each of the past three years; what are its main uses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  NATO's information budgets for the present and past two years, at current exchange rates, are:

  1992 £3,522,505

  1993 £3,855,186

  1994 £3,757,339

  Allowing for an estimated inflation rate over the period of between 2·7 and 4 per cent., there was a real budget increase of 6·4 per cent. in 1993 over 1992, and a real decrease of 5·2 per cent. in 1994 over 1993. Over the whole period the budget increased in real terms by 0·8 per cent.

  NATO organises and sponsors multinational information programmes on various aspects of the alliance with the objective of explaining the aims and achievements of the alliance to public opinion in NATO member countries, and improving public understanding and knowledge of the alliance in the countries of central and eastern Europe. Activities directed towards these ends are: visits to NATO by groups from NATO and co-operation partner countries, seminars, speaking tours, workshops, conferences in NATO and co-operation partner countries, the publication of the bi-monthly "NATO Review" and other publications designed to support NATO objectives, film, television and photographic coverage of NATO events and general support for the media in their coverage of NATO developments.

  Libyan Students
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Libyan students were studying in the United Kingdom at the most recent date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  According to information provided by the institutions, there were 520 Libyan students at United Kingdom higher and further academic institutions in the public sector in 1991–92—the latest year for which there are figures.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many' British students were studying in Libya in each of the past five years and at the latest available date.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We do not maintain records of United Kingdom students studying in other countries. However, we believe that currently there are few, if any, United Kingdom students studying in Libya.
  756

  South Africa
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relationship with South Africa.

  Mr. Hurd
  We fully support the efforts to achieve a peaceful transition to non-racial democracy in South Africa. We have stepped up our help for the process and will be making a major contribution to election monitoring. We keep in close touch with all sides at the highest level and remain prepared to help South Africa's transition to democracy in any way South Africans feel can be useful.

HEALTH

  Cannabis
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in what form cannabis is made available on prescription;

  (2) what guidelines are available to general practitioners and consultants on the medicinal application of cannabis and as to how patients may obtain it;

  (3) in what circumstances cannabis may be prescribed to patients.

  Mr. Bowis
  The availability of cannabis is covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 which is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Under section 7 of that Act it is unlawful for a medical practitioner to prescribe it to a patient. There are no guidelines for general practitioners or consultants on its application. If it were shown that there were indications for the use of cannabis in specific medical conditions, we would look at it carefully and would not rule it out as a prescribed drug. The supporting data would need to be presented to the Medicines Control Agency for assessment with a view to licensing the preparation. A drug called Nabilone, which contains the main active ingredient of cannabis, is already licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of nausea in patients with cancer. A doctor may prescribe Nabilone for other conditions on his own responsibility.

  Pathology
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of expertise and training is required of hospital staff who analyse pathology specimens.

  Mr. Sackville
  The expertise and training required of staff who undertake the analysis of specimens varies according to the type of analysis being undertaken and other factors.

  Home Visits
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she plans to introduce to educate patients not to demand unnecessary home visits from doctors; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Department of Health officials are working with the general medical services committee of the British Medical Association on a further development
  757
  of the "Help Us To Help You" campaign which will encourage the responsible use of general practitioner out-of-hours service by patients.

  Depo-Medrone
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what new advice has been issued by her Department to national health service doctors regarding possible side effects of using the drug Depo-Medrone in epidural therapy;

  (2) what discussions have taken place between her Department and the relevant medical professional bodies about the use of the drug Depo-Medrone; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps she has taken to ensure that national health service staff are aware of the recommendation from the manufacturers of the drug Depo-Medrone that epidural administration of the drug may cause meningitis and arachnoiditis;

  (2) what steps she is taking to investigate the risks of epidural administration of the drug Depo-Medrone; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Officials of the Department have had discussions with representatives of the Pain Society and the British Society of Rheumatology. We are aware that the clinical affairs committee of the British Society of Rheumatology has issued a statement to its members on epidural injection of Depo-Medrone, a copy of which will be placed in the Library. The statement advises that, because of the risks attached, if a doctor wished to use Depo-Medrone, individual informed consent would have to be obtained in view of the potential serious complication; and that it was desirable to use steroid preparations other than Depo-Medrone. We are considering what further action by the Department may be desirable in the light of this statement.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice has been issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines on the epidural administration of the drug Depo-Medrone;

  (2) what advice has been issued by the Medicines Control Agency on the epidural administration of the drug Depo-Medrone.

  Region

  1991–921 Trust income3 (£ million)

  Per cent, of total provider income3

  1992–931 Trust income3 (£ million)

  Per cent, of total provider income3

  1993–942 Trust income3 (£ million)

  Per cent, of total provider income1

  Northern

  106

  9

  366

  29

  637

  49

  Yorkshire

  299

  23

  643

  45

  1,320

  89

  Trent

  148

  9

  547

  30

  1,338

  69

  East Anglian

  37

  5

  130

  16

  624

  75

  North West Thames

  179

  13

  768

  52

  1,196

  79

  North East Thames

  363

  21

  801

  44

  1,346

  72

  South East Thames

  180

  12

  501

  30

  1,269

  76

  South West Thames

  264

  23

  388

  28

  805

  59

  Wessex

  68

  7

  369

  32

  771

  70

  Oxford

  20

  2

  175

  20

  506

  56

  South Western

  483

  39

  946

  74

  1,215

  92

  West Midlands

  107

  6

  316

  16

  876

  41

  Mersey

  402

  42

  711

  70

  973

  94

  North Western

  159

  10

  460

  27

  672

  37

  England

  2,815

  15

  7,121

  36

  13,548

  67

  758
  Mr. Sackville
  No specific advice has been issued by the Medicines Control Agency or the Committee on Safety of Medicines. Depo-Medrone is not licensed for epidural administration. The data sheet produced by the manufacturer and authorised by the licensing authority carries a clear warning that Depo-Medrone should not be used for epidural administration.

  Financial Information Project Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will state in respect of the £300,000 loaned by West Midlands regional health authority to the company FIP(a) on what date the loan was made, (b) what percentage interest per annum is being paid by FIP and by what percentage this interest differs from that payable on an unsecured loan; (c) who are the directors of FIP and (d) whether FIP is a public or a private company.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The loan of £300,000 to Financial Information Project Ltd. by West Midlands regional health authority was made in January 1992. The loan is subject to indexation based on changes in the health service price index. Unsecured loans do not attract a "standard" rate of interest. Treasury loans to the public sector via the national loans fund or the Public Works Loan Board currently attract interest rates of 5 per cent.—for loans between one and two years—or 58 per cent., for loans between two and three years. Focus Information Systems Ltd. is the new name for the company previously known as FIP Ltd. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Health Management Trust and has no directors. The trustees of HMT are: Mr. A. J. Bloore (Chairman), Mr. J. Overton, Mr. S. Sargeant, Mr. C. C. Ashton and Mr. A. J. Mills (director of finance at Warwickshire health authority). HMT is a registered charity.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for health what level of funding was made available to trusts in each region in each year since 1991–92; and what these figures are as a percentage of the total NI-IS provider unit funding.

  Mr. Sackville
  Trusts are no longer funded directly but earn their income through contracts to provide healthcare services. The table shows the total contract income of trusts by regional area, by amount and percentage of total national health service provider contract income.
  759
  1Estimated outtum.

  2 Forecast outturn at Quarter 3.

  3 Income includes non-NHS income and income generation.

  Source: NHS Management Executive Management Accounts.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts there were in each region in each year since 1991–92; and what are those figures as a percentage of the total number of health provider units.

  Region

  Number of Operational Trusts in 1991–92

  Number of Operational Trusts in 1992–93

  Number of Operational Trusts in 1993–94

  Number of Operational Trusts in 1994–951

  Number of Operational NHS Trusts in 1994–95 as a percentage of total health provider units2

  Northern

  3

  9

  19

  34

  94

  Yorkshire

  3

  9

  23

  26

  96

  Trent

  3

  13

  29

  41

  91

  East Anglian

  2

  5

  15

  18

  100

  North West Thames

  4

  18

  27

  29

  385

  North East Thames

  6

  14

  24

  27

  87

  South West Thames

  7

  10

  17

  27

  81

  South East Thames

  1

  9

  20

  31

  96

  Wessex

  4

  11

  21

  26

  100

  Oxford

  1

  6

  15

  24

  100

  South Western

  9

  18

  22

  23

  100

  West Midlands

  4

  10

  24

  47

  90

  Mersey

  8

  16

  23

  25

  100

  North Western

  2

  8

  13

  34

  97

  Special Health Authorities

  0

  0

  0

  5

  62

  Total

  57

  156

  292

  417

  92

  1 Numbers are based on the approval to date of 135 applications for Fourth Wave Trust status. They do not include the remaining 9, Fourth Wave Trust applications, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has yet to make a decision on.

  2 The decisions on the 9 remaining applications for 4th wave Trust status will determine the status of 7 directly managed units and 1 Special Health Authority. Since these decisions are still outstanding these units have been classed as "units not operating as NHS Trusts in 1994–95" for the purpose of calculating these percentages.

  3 Includes Teddington Memorial NHS Trust. Although established as an NHS Trust, it is not due to become fully operational until 1 April 1995, following a shadow period of 2 years.

  Publicity (Costs)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by her Department on publicity to doctors, in each year since 1979–80.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Guidance from the Department is issued to ensure that the national health service provides high-quality, effective and efficient health care. Funds are supplied from the Department's central funding. Separate costs of issuing guidance, circulars and letters to individual groups within the national health service cannot be identified.

  Care in the Community
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations she is holding with the Royal College of Psychiatrists about the release of psychiatric patients with a history of violent behaviour under the care in the community programme; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The royal college, and other professional bodies, have been fully consulted about the steps we have taken to ensure that psychiatric patients are not discharged from hospital before they are ready to leave and that they are cared for safely, whether in hospital or the community. These steps include the proposed new power of supervised
  760
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The table shows the total number of operational national health service trusts in each region in each year since 1991–92. The information required to calculate these figures as a percentage of the total number of health provider units is not available centrally for the years 1991–92 to 1993–94. The information for 1994–95 is shown in the table.

  discharge, new guidance on the discharge of mentally disordered people from hospital and their continuing care in the community, and the introduction of supervision registers for people with severe mental illness who may present a significant risk to themselves or others.

  We shall be bringing forward legislation to introduce supervised discharge at the earliest opportunity. The new guidance on the discharge and continuing care of mentally disordered people was circulated for consultation in January and will be issued in definitive form as soon as we have taken account of the comments received, and of the relevant recommendations of the Ritchie inquiry. Separate guidance issued on 16 February, HSG(94)5, requires health authorities to have contracts in force by 1 April 1994 which ensure that supervision registers are established and maintained.

  We remain in close contact with the college on these and related matters.

  AZT
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has to allow the introduction of the drug AZT to(a) mothers-to-be and (b) other patients suffering from HIV and AIDS.

  Mr. Sackville
  Zidovudine, AZT, is currently licensed in the United Kingdom for the following indications.

  he management of patients with advanced HIV disease, such as those with the acquired immune deficiency

  761
  syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC).

  in adult patients with HIV infection.

  in early symptomatic patients with CD4 counts of less than 500/mm3, or in asymptomatic patients with markers indicating risk of progressive disease including repeated CD4 counts of less than 200/mm3, or with CD4 counts between 500/mm3 and 200/mm3 which are rapidly falling.

  HIV-infected children over the age of 3 months who have HIV-related symptoms or who are asymptomatic with markers indicating significant HIV-related immune suppression.

  Applications for the licensing of any further indications will be considered by the Medicines Control Agency according to established procedures.

  NHS Staffing Levels
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has received on how there could be a reduction of 200,000 NHS jobs without a reduction in services to patients.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have received no such advice. The substantial progress that is being made on the creation of a more flexible work force has, among other measures, enabled more patients to be treated within the national health service than ever before.

  Norwich Union Healthcare
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has examined the content of broadcasts made by paid officers of NHS trusts promoting Norwich Union Healthcare; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am aware that some national health service staff have appeared in broadcasts aimed at publicising collaborative ventures with private insurers to facilitate the more effective use of NHS paybeds. Paybeds generate valuable income for improving services for all patients.

  Asthma
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many special consultants there are in asthma practice in London; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Consultants in respiratory medicine and paediatric consultants with a special interest in asthma are not recorded separately. The number of consultants in thoracic medicine in London is 11·0 whole time equivalent, as shown in the annual medical and dental census.

  The hon. Member may wish to contact the director of public health medicine in each of the four Thames regional health authorities for more information.

  Lewisham and Southwark Health Authority
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total annual budget of the Lewisham and Southwark health authority for the most recent available year.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for South East Thames regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Peter Barker, the chairman, for details.
  762

  Consultancies
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by each health authority in London on consultancy fees during the current financial year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Dentistry
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have been recruited by each health authority in England in each of the last three years; and how many dentists are currently employed by each of England's health authorities.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of salaried dentists employed by each family health services authority is shown in the table.

  Number of salaried dentists as at 18 February 1994

  England

  Family health services authority

  Number of dentists

  England

  91

  Cleveland

  —

  Cumbria

  1

  Durham

  —

  Northumberland

  —

  Gateshead

  —

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  —

  North Tyneside

  —

  South Tyneside

  —

  Sunderland

  —

  Humberside

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  Bradford

  —

  Calderdale

  —

  Kirklees

  —

  Leeds

  —

  Wakefield

  —

  Derbyshire

  2

  Leicestershire

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  Barnsley

  —

  Doncaster

  —

  Rotherham

  —

  Sheffield

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  4

  Norfolk

  3

  Suffolk

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  Barnet

  —

  Brent and Harrow

  —

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  —

  Hillingdon

  —

  Kensington, Westminster and Chelsea

  9

  Essex

  3

  Barking and Havering

  —

  Camden and Islington

  —

  City and East London

  8

  Enfield and Haringey

  —

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  —

  East Sussex

  —

  Kent

  5

  Greenwich and Bexley

  7

  Bromley

  1

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  30

  Surrey

  3

  763

  Family health services authority

  Number of dentists

  West Sussex

  1

  Croydon

  —

  Kingston and Richmond

  —

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  1

  Dorset

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  Wiltshire

  1

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Berkshire

  —

  Buckinghamshire

  3

  Northamptonshire

  —

  Oxfordshire

  —

  Avon

  —

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  3

  Devon

  —

  Gloucestershire

  1

  Somerset

  —

  Hereford and Worcester

  —

  Shropshire

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  Birmingham

  —

  Coventry

  —

  Dudley

  —

  Sandwell

  —

  Solihull

  —

  Walsall

  —

  Wolverhampton

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  Liverpool

  2

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  —

  Sefton

  —

  Wirral

  —

  Lancashire

  1

  Bolton

  —

  Bury

  —

  Manchester

  —

  Oldham

  —

  Rochdale

  —

  Salford

  1

  Stockport

  —

  Tameside

  —

  Trafford

  —

  Wigan

  —

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional revenues she has made available to health authorities in(a) London and (b) England to enable them to respond to patients needing emergency national health service dental treatment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The costs of emergency dental services provided under arrangements made by family health services authorities are met centrally from the general dental services fund.

  Health Authority Publications
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the publications produced by each health authority in London during the current financial year; and what were the costs involved in each publication.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The hon. Member may wish to contact the chief executives of the regional health authorities for details.
  764

  Children's Rights
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the United Kingdom's initial report to the United Nations committee on the rights of the child will be published; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I am pleased to announce that the United Kingdom's initial report on implementation of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child was submitted to the United Nations committee on the rights of the child today. The report is also published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today. Copies have been placed in the Library. A distribution of copies will be made shortly to the large public libraries, local authorities, health authorities and national health service trusts and to a selection of voluntary child care organisations. Similar distributions will take place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  The report details how United Kingdom law, policy and practice meet the provisions of the convention. It reveals a positive record in the United Kingdom on the treatment of children, as well as detailing the safeguards that exist, and which we are constantly seeking to improve, to ensure children's rights to special consideration and protection are met.

  Transitional Grant
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the needs of carers are accounted for in the formula used to distribute the special transitional grant.

  Mr. Bowis
  In 1993–94 the distribution of the grant is based predominately on personal social services standard spending assessments. These include factors which are intended to reflect needs for community care expenditure in the round, including the needs of carers. In 1994–95 the grant will be based exclusively on PSS SSAs.

  Youth Initiatives
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list her current major initiatives involving youth and voluntary youth organisations.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Children Act gives local authorities responsibility to support children in need and their families wherever possible, and to provide services for young people. Standard spending on children's services for 1993–94 has increased by 32 per cent. since 1990–91.

  The Department is funding a programme of grants to the voluntary sector exceeding £8 million to help them develop family support services, day care services, services for the young homeless and young people leaving care, and initiatives to divert young people from crime.

  We are also encouraging and supporting organisations which provide information and services for young people in the fields of mental health, drug prevention and HIV/AIDS.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure on press and public relations and on publications for issue to the public by(a) her Department, (b) health authorities and (c) NHS trusts, in 1992–93; what were the figures for (a) and (b) in 1982–83; and what is her estimate of changes in this expenditure in the current year.
  765
  Mr. Sackville
  The information available centrally is for 1992–93 and relates to the Department of Health and health authorities only. Estimates of changes in expenditure for 1993–94 are not available. Information for 1992–93 is as follows:

  Functions which are commonly associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's Information Division

  £ million

  Manpower and running costs

  1·749

  Publications for issue to the public

  4·622

  Provisional health authority expenditure on public relations functions taken from the annual financial returns of regional health authorities, district health authorities is

  5·350

  Mental Health Services, London
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) from what part of the budget for 1994–98 the extra £10 million allocated for community-based mental health services in London will be found;

  (2) how the extra £10 million allocated for community-based mental health services in London will be spent.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The extra £10 million for community-based mental health services in 1994–95 forms part of the total £85 million available for primary and community developments in the London initiative zone in 1994–95. Decisions on how the resources will be allocated will be taken by the London implementation group and the Thames regional health authorities in the light of development plans and proposals received from local health authorities and national health service trusts.

  Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community psychiatric nurses have been employed in the national health service in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available is shown in the table. The figures show that there has been an increase in the number of nurses working in community psychiatrics between 1983 and 1992 of 194·4 per cent.

  Community psychiatric nursing—England at 30 September 1983 to 1992 Whole-time equivalent

  Numbers

  1983

  1,430

  1984

  1,880

  1985

  2,310

  1986

  2,530

  1987

  2,770

  1988

  3,080

  1989

  3,380

  1990

  3,600

  31991

  3,750

  1992

  4,210

  Notes:

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest ten and exclude agency staff.

  2. The figures include both qualified and unqualified nurses working in the community psychiatric nursing area of work. We are unable to identify nurses with a community psychiatric nursing qualification.

  3. Previous published figures included 10 whole-time equivalent senior nurses in error.

  Smoking
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the full cost of producing printing and distributing the action plan document on reducing smoking.

  Mr. Sackville
  The cost of production and printing was £35,321. It is not possible to give an accurate figure for the cost of distribution.

  Supervised Discharge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to introduce legislation to provide supervised discharge.

  Mr. Bowis
  At the earliest opportunity.

  Limb Defects
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is now being taken to investigate clusters of babies born with limb defects; what form the inquiry will take; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) on 1 March at column 678.

  Doctors' Performance
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to put forward a Bill to widen the scope of the General Medical Council's disciplinary remit to introduce a new procedure on professional performance; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are considering proposals put forward by the General Medical Council about new performance procedures to deal with cases where a doctor's pattern of professional performance is seriously deficient but does not amount to serious professional misconduct.

  Administrative Staff
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many managerial and administrative staff have been employed by each family health services authority in each region since 1989;

  (2) if she will publish a table showing the total number of staff employed by family practitioner committees (a) in total and (b) by region in 1989.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: The information available is shown in the tables. Family health services authorities manage the introduction of general practitioner fundholding, the monitoring of GP prescribing and the development of clinical audit in primary care—all initiatives introduced since 1989 aimed at improving the effectiveness of patient care and value for money. In 1992–93 FHSA administrative expenditure represented only 2·5 per cent. of the £6·5 billion of taxpayers' money spent on the FHS.
  767

  General and Senior Managers (G and SM) and Administrative and Clerical (A and C) staff in Family Health Services Authorities (FPCs in by region in England, September 1989–92 (whole-time equivalent)

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Region

  G and SM

  AandC

  GandSM

  AandC

  G and SM

  A and C

  GandSM

  A and C

  Northern

  0

  270

  30

  290

  40

  310

  80

  340

  Yorkshire

  0

  310

  60

  350

  100

  340

  90

  350

  Trent

  0

  320

  60

  350

  50

  460

  100

  510

  East Anglia

  0

  180

  30

  180

  40

  230

  70

  200

  North West Thames

  0

  420

  30

  240

  70

  470

  80

  480

  North East Thames

  0

  400

  40

  340

  60

  430

  60

  500

  South East Thames

  0

  370

  50

  340

  70

  270

  130

  380

  South West Thames

  0

  290

  50

  340

  10

  90

  70

  370

  Wessex

  —

  230

  40

  230

  40

  270

  30

  270

  Oxford

  —

  180

  50

  260

  40

  230

  50

  240

  South Western

  0

  260

  30

  270

  40

  300

  40

  320

  West Midlands

  0

  480

  90

  590

  100

  530

  100

  540

  Mersey

  0

  180

  20

  150

  40

  300

  50

  260

  North Western

  10

  460

  70

  430

  70

  440

  100

  490

  England Total

  30

  4,360

  640

  4,350

  790

  4,650

  1,040

  5,240

  Sources of data:

  Figures for 1989 and 1990 are from the Department of Health Non Medical Workforce Census.

  For 1991 and 1992 figures are from the Department of Health form KM49.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, with "0" denoting less than 5 and "—" denoting zero.

  2. Totals may not add due to rounding.

  Staff in Family Practitioner Committees by Region in England at 30 September 1989 (whole time equivalents)

  Region

  Numbers

  Northern

  280

  Yorkshire

  320

  Trent

  320

  East Anglia

  190

  North West Thames

  430

  North East Thames

  420

  South East Thames

  370

  South West Thames

  300

  Wessex

  230

  Oxford

  190

  South Western

  260

  West Midlands

  520

  Mersey

  190

  North Western

  480

  England Total

  4,510

  Source of data:

  Department of Health Non Medical Workforce Census.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and may not add due to rounding.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Archbishop of Canterbury
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list, for each of the last five years, how much money has been given towards running the Archbishop of Canterbury's office or his charitable activities.

  Mr. Alison
  The following sums were paid by the Commissioners towards the running costs of the Archbishop of Canterbury's office. These include staff salaries, clergy and lay, travel and subsistence and general administrative costs. The commissioners do not contribute to the archbishop's charitable activities.
  768

  £

  1989

  544,000

  1990

  676,000

  1991

  811,000

  1992

  882,000

  1993

  911,000

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by the Cabinet Office(a) in the current financial year and (b) planned for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising;

  (2) if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by the Office of Public Service and Science and his agencies (a) in the current financial year and (b) planned for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising;

  (3) if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by the Central Office of Information (a) in the current financial year and (b) planned for 1994–95, showing for each one the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. David Davis
  I have been asked to reply.

  Television, radio and newspaper advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by the Cabinet Office, including the Office of Public Service and Science and its agencies, in the curent year are listed. In addition, newspapers

  769
  advertising is used for recruitment. The Central Office of Information conducts no television advertising, newspaper

  Campaign aims and objectives

  Mechanism for assessing effectiveness

  OPSS

  Publicity for 1993 charter mark winners to highlight the achievements of the 93 winners and encourage other organisations to measure their performance against the charter mark criteria.

  Assessed through market research.

  Promotion of the 1994 charter mark scheme to encourage as many public service organisations as possible both to assess their performance against the criteria and to take part in this year's competition.

  Analysis of applications received and market research.

  Charterline advertising to raise awareness of the service and to assess, during the pilot service, the effectiveness of different forms of advertising.

  Analysis through qualitative and quantitative research.

  HMSO

  Promotion of publications, videos and IT product range.

  Analysis of coupon responses, orders received directly and sales.

  Promotion of HMSO's status as a British Standards Institution agent.

  Analysis of sales.

  Strengthening of awareness of HMSO in central and local government, the health service and public utilities.

  Market research before and after campaign, plus analysis of coupon responses.

  Civil Service College

  Promotion of courses and other activities to ensure that enough customers are attracted to meet its financial and other targets.

  Results are assessed by customer response.

  Correspondence
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will publish a table indicating the average length of time Government Ministers take to respond to letters from hon. Members;

  (2) what are the targets for the time taken for Government Ministers to respond to letters from hon. Members.

  Mr. David Davis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply by my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr. Jackson) on 23 March 1993, columns 551–52, showing the volume of correspondence from hon. Members to Ministers and agency chief executives in 1992, the targets set for reply and the percentage of replies sent within target. The corresponding 1993 figures will be published shortly.

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of the public appointments he is responsible for making in addition to those identified in "Public Bodies 1993", including non-executive agency and other departmental management boards.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I make appointments to the complaints task force and the technology foresight steering group. There are seven members of the complaints task force, including the chairman. The technology foresight programme has 13 members and three advisers.

  I am responsible for appointing the chief executives of the following executive agencies: Chessington Computer
  770
  advertising, radio advertising or other promotional campaigns on its own behalf. The budget for 1994–95 will be finalised shortly.

  Centre; Civil Service College; Occupational Health Service; Recruitment and Assessment Services; Central Office of Information and Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I am responsible for appointing the non-executive directors of the HMSO board.

EDUCATION

  Voluntary Youth Organisations
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are his current major initiatives involving voluntary youth organisations.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department is providing grants of some £8.6 million over the three years to 1995–96 to 60 national voluntary youth organisations. In addition, the Department is providing support to regional and local voluntary youth bodies through the youth work development grants scheme and through a partnership scheme with the London Boroughs Grants Committee.

  Technology Colleges (Sponsorship)
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the amount of sponsorship by each sponsor for each of the technology colleges announced on 28 February.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The value of sponsorship pledged by the main sponsors for each of the 12 technology colleges is listed in the table.
  771

  School/sponsor

  Value £ thousands

  Chalvedon Grant Maintained School

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Fairfield Catering

  37·0

  Roy Millard Associates

  15·0

  SIMS Centre

  5·0

  PMD Associates

  4·0

  Chatham Grant Maintained Grammar School for Girls

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  GEC Marconi Avionics

  20·0

  Clifton Reed Consultants

  15·0

  Research Machines

  10·0

  Klick Technology

  7·5

  Data Collection Systems

  5·0

  Architects Joint Partnership

  3·0

  Collingwood Grant Maintained School

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  GTi Educational Systems

  25·0

  Oracle Corporation (UK)

  15·0

  Motorola

  10·0

  Deacon's Grant Maintained School

  Perkins Group

  49·0

  Database and Apricot Computers

  27·0

  Greater Peterborough TEC

  20·0

  Pearl Assurance

  3·0

  George Spencer Grant Maintained School

  Sir Harry Djanogly

  79·0

  Database and Apricot Computers

  20·0

  Midland Bank

  1·0

  Glyn Grant Maintained School

  ADT Group

  100·0

  Harraby Grant Maintained School

  Carnaud Metal Box

  25·0

  Cavaghan & Gray

  25·0

  Talk-Tel Communication

  20·0

  Cumbria TEC

  10·0

  Kemnal Manor Grant Maintained County High School

  Philip and Pauline Harris Charitable Trust

  50·0

  Architects Joint Partnership

  12·5

  Ballast Nedam Construction

  12·5

  Klick Technology

  12·5

  Research Machines

  12·5

  Saffron Walden Grant Maintained County High School

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Acom Computers

  30·0

  Messrs. Wilby and Burnett

  5·0

  St. George's Grant Maintained Technology School

  Mr. Reg Brearley

  100·0

  Database and Apricot Computers

  20·0

  St. Peter's Collegiate Church of England Voluntary

  Aided School

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Database and Apricot Computers

  20·0

  Lucas Aerospace

  22·0

  Dixons Wallcoverings

  5·0

  Unilab

  5·0

  Saintbridge Grant Maintained Technology School

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Systems Integrated Research

  25·0

  Charrwells

  15·0

  Denford Machine Tools

  35·0

  AT Poeton (Gloucester Plating)

  2·5

  Permali (Gloucester)

  2·5

  CM Downton

  2·5

  772

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made as to how many of those pupils currently covered by the assisted places scheme would have entered private education without the support offered by the scheme.

  Mr. Forth
  Very few. Over 80 per cent. of parents covered by the scheme have annual incomes below the national average and about 40 per cent. have incomes so low that the pupil is entitled to a free place. Such parents could not afford to meet school fees themselves.

  Education (Lewisham)
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of the Further Education Funding Council's budget supports institutions in Lewisham.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Further Education Funding Councils' recurrent funding allocations to institutions for 1993–94 covered the period 1 April 1993 to 31 July 1994 and amounted to £3.201 billion. Allocations to institutions in the London borough of Lewisham amounted to £24 million, or about 0·7 per cent. of the total.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total budget for each grant-maintained(a) primary school and (b) secondary school in (i) Lewisham and (ii) London for 1993–94.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is given in the lists.

  Total budget for each Grant Maintained School in:

  Total budget£

  (i) Lewisham

  (a) Primary Schools

  Turnham Primary with nursery GM School

  1,046,106

  (b) Secondary Schools

  There are none

  (ii) London

  (a) Primary Schools

  All Saints (Carshalton) CE School

  284,425

  Barnehurst Infant GM School

  401,814

  Barnehurst Junior GM School

  472,137

  Charville Primary School

  858,178

  Corpus Christi RC Primary School1

  240,009

  Crofton Junior School

  1,177,722

  Dollis Junior School

  761,032

  Dormers Wells First School1

  233,829

  Dormers Wells Middle School1

  223,095

  Ethelburga Primary School

  439,828

  Friars Primary School'

  140,512

  Grange Park Infant School

  555,895

  Grange Park Junior School

  578,793

  Hayes Park Infant School1

  126,479

  Hayes Park Junior School1

  158,727

  Hillbrook Primary School

  925,909

  Hillside Infants School

  251,830

  Hillside Junior School

  287,213

  Holy Innocents Roman Catholic School

  488,590

  Oak Farm Infant School

  568,784

  Oak Farm Junior Mixed School

  729,645

  Oakington Manor Primary School

  727,025

  Osidge Primary School

  503,369

  Selsdon Primary School1

  342,959

  773

  Total budget (£)

  St. Andrews CE Primary School

  154,619

  St. Andrews RC Primary School1

  278,195

  St. Annes RC Primary School1

  194,144

  St. Anthony's RC Primary School1

  218,552

  St. Bedes RC Infant School1

  234,617

  St. Bernadette RC Junior Mixed School

  146,022

  St. Charles RC Primary School1

  281,613

  St. Francesca Cabrini GM School

  985,427

  St. James the Great RC Primary School1

  232,350

  St. Josephs RC Infant School1

  151,523

  St. Josephs RC Junior School1

  191,390

  St. Laurence CE Junior School

  289,306

  St. Lukes CE Primary School1

  172,076

  St. Matthews CE Primary School1

  94,607

  Stanley Park Infants School1

  144,741

  Stanley Park Junior School1

  165,482

  Wood End First School

  720,628

  Wood End Middle School

  576,885

  (b) Secondary Schools

  Abbotsfield School

  1,950,200

  Abbs Cross School

  1,880,323

  Albany School

  1,854,018

  Alperton High School

  1,842,781

  Archbishop Tenison School

  1,687,063

  Ashmole School

  1,560,002

  Beaverwood School for Girls

  2,523,313

  Beverley School

  1,081,348

  Bexley Erith Technical GM School

  1,020,078

  Bishop Douglass RC School'

  782,607

  Bishop Thomas Grant School

  2,909,556

  Bishopshalt School

  2,551,075

  Brentside High School

  2,637,138

  Broomfield GM School

  1,743,264

  Bullers Wood School for Girls

  2,748,877

  Burntwood School

  4,487,358

  Cardinal Hinsley High School

  1,227,373

  Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

  2,729,542

  Chadwell Heath High School

  2,112,265

  Charles Darwin School

  2,738,262

  Cheam High School

  2,736,790

  Chingford School

  1,441,363

  Claremount High School

  3,454,916

  Convent of Jesus and Mary GM High School

  2,697,063

  Coopers School

  3,110,095

  Copland Community School and Tech School

  3,217,865

  Drayton Manor High School

  3,219,216

  Dunraven GM School

  3,753,813

  Edenham School

  2,573,840

  Elliott School

  3,870,951

  Enfield Grammar School1

  743,425

  Finchley Catholic High School

  1,507,554

  Graveney School

  5,244,434

  Greenford High School

  2,916,472

  Gumley House Convent School

  2,634,950

  Gunnersbury Catholic School for Boys

  2,551,931

  Harlington Community School1

  825,192

  Haydon School

  3,136,670

  Hayes School

  3,284,877

  Hendon School

  3,028,952

  Highams Park School

  2,959,096

  Holy Cross Convent School

  1,769,791

  Jews Free School

  2,228,040

  John Paul II RC School

  1,633,050

  Kelsey Park School

  2,488,746

  Kingsbury High School

  5,344,018

  La Retraite RC Girls GM School

  1,929,728

  La Sainte Union Convent School

  1,856,608

  Langley Park School for Boys

  2,966,972

  Mellow Lane School

  2,707,249

  Mill Hill GM High School

  3,476,578

  Newstead Wood School for Girls

  2,119,866

  Nonsuch High School for Girls

  2,407,563

  Northolt High School

  2,925,776

  Northwood School

  2,465,238

  Notre Dame High School

  1,071,845

  774

  Total budget (£)

  Queen Elizabeth GM School for Boys

  2,796,642

  Queens Park Community School

  2,532,850

  Queensmead School

  2,680,510

  Raines Foundation School

  3,432,149

  Ravens Wood School for Boys

  2,589,922

  Richard Challoner School

  1,692,418

  Riddlesdown GM School

  2,939,118

  Sacred Heart of Mary Girls School

  1,138,361

  Sacred Heart RC School1

  579,657

  Salesian College

  1,653,473

  Salvatorian College

  790,326

  Southfields School

  3,645,574

  St. Catherines RC School for Girls

  1,028,617

  St. Columba's RC Boys School

  1,761,471

  St. Gregorys RC High School

  1,932,523

  St. Ignatius College

  1,569,158

  St. James Catholic High School

  942,535

  St. John Rigby School

  2,542,122

  St. Josephs College

  1,649,960

  St. Martin in the Field High School

  1,196,551

  St. Mary's and St. Joseph's GM School

  1,709,573

  St. Mary's CE High School

  1,721,788

  St. Michaels Catholic Grammar School

  1,083,517

  St. Michaels School

  1,094,571

  St. Olave's and St. Saviours Grammar School

  1,729,329

  St. Philomena's Catholic High for Girls

  2,098,339

  Stratford School

  2,158,996

  Sutton Grammar School for Boys

  1,556,234

  Swakeleys School

  1,959,550

  The Coopers Company and Coborn School

  3,443,500

  The Douay Martyrs School

  2,669,865

  The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

  2,823,045

  The Frances Bardsley School for Girls

  2,877,329

  The Hayes Manor School

  1,933,220

  The John Fisher School

  1,840,742

  The Latymer School

  1,859,059

  The London Nautical School

  1,680,058

  The London Oratory School

  4,559,637

  The St. Thomas the Apoostle GM College

  1,212,528

  Thomas More GM School

  976,222

  Triffin School

  2,289,250

  Uxbridge High School

  2,199,164

  Vyners School

  2,099,170

  Wallington High School for Boys

  1,670,559

  Wallington High School for Girls

  1,882,587

  Wilsons School

  1,855,838

  The amount shown for total budget includes Annual Maintenance Grant, Special Purpose Grants for Restructuring Development, Premises, VAT, Transitional Grant, Section 11 Grant and Capital Grants payable to the Schools in 1993–94.

  1Became GM in January 1994 hence AMG amount included is provisional.

EMPLOYMENT

  Banking and Financial Services
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the figures from his Department's Employment Gazette showing the total number of people employed in banking and financial services, standard industrial classification 8, in Greater London in the latest quarter and the equivalent quarters of 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information can be obtained from the NOMIS database and table 1.5 of the Employment Gazette, both of which are accessible from the Library.
  775

  Paid Annual Leave
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will produce a table showing entitlement to paid annual leave in each EU country.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A table showing statutory annual leave entitlement and public holidays in all EU countries was published in an article in the September 1993 edition of Employment Gazette—"Working time and holidays in the EC: how the UK compares".

  The article also presents "Labour Force Survey" results on paid annual leave entitlement actually received in practice by United Kingdom employees. Fully representative, comparable, data on actual paid annual leave entitlement in other EU states are not available.

  Labour Statistics (Lewisham)
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were signed off from the Lewisham and Catford jobcentres without reason being given after a Restart interview during 1993.

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

  Letter from P. J. Walsh to Mrs. Bridget Prentice, dated 2 March 1994:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of people who were signed off without a reason being given after a Restart Interview at Lewisham and Catford Jobcentres.

  Unfortunately, the information you request is not available. Statistics on people who leave the register after a Restart Interview are collected only where we can demonstrate that the sign off was the direct result of the interview. Undoubtedly this somewhat underestimates the total effectiveness of Restart Interviews but the alternative would be to include numerous people who would have left the register anyway. The figures I can, therefore, give you are in the attached table.

  These figures reflect only the direct results of Restart. We do not know how many people subsequently take up a job or a place on an employment or training programme as a result of the guidance given to them at their interview.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Lewisham jobcentre

  Catford jobcentre

  Number of Restart Interviews carried out in 1993

  5,040

  5,137

  Number of people placed into jobs

  122

  161

  Number of people who took up other benefits

  38

  8

  Number of people who signed off as a direct result of Client Adviser Action

  146

  21

  Number of people who started on the following ED programmes:

  1,576

  1,605

  Jobclub

  Restart Courses

  Jobplan Workshops

  Job Review Workshops

  Training for Work

  Community Action

  Work Trials

  Business Start-Up Scheme

  Job Interview Guarantee

  776

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average level of awards in cases where industrial tribunals have recommended the reinstatement of an employee dismissed by their employer and this has not been implemented by the company concerned in the last year for which figures are available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The average total award of compensation where an order for reinstatement or re-engagement was not complied with was £13,602 in the 12 months ended 31 March 1993.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to review the operation of current employment legislation relating to industrial tribunals in respect of the enforcement of reinstatement decisions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to ensure that awards by industrial tribunals are based on a realistic estimate of loss of earnings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The level of awards, including those relating to loss of earnings, is for industrial tribunals to decide, subject to any financial limits which may apply. These limits are reviewed annually and the results of the latest review will be announced in due course.

WALES

  Housing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy that Tai Cymru devotes its budget primarily towards ensuring there are sufficient houses available to rent;

  (2) what assessment he has made of Tai Cymru's policy of insisting that housing associations build houses for sales as well as for rent, with particular reference to its effect on homelessness in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I expect that Housing for Wales will market some 10 per cent. of its programme for low-cost home ownership in 1994–95. That will help ensure that more people who wish to and can afford to progress by stages to full home ownership have the chance to do so—and thus avoid being constrained to a lifetime of renting alone. It will also mean that the rented social housing stock, now accounting for about 15,000 lettings per annum, can be managed more flexibly to provide for those in greatest housing need.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds for local authority areas were approved by Tai Cymru to be spent by housing associations in Wales. in 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authorities are not funded by housing associations.

  Doctors (Home Visits)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he plans to introduce to educate patients not to demand unnecessary home visits from doctors; and if he will make a statement.
  777
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The charter for patients in Wales urges patients to take greater responsibility for their own health and to treat health service workers with proper consideration. Health departments and the general medical services committee of the British Medical Association are working together on an initiative to reinforce this message. The "Help Us to Help You" campaign, which we intend to introduce in Wales in April/May 1994, will encourage the responsible use of GP out-of-hours services.

  Railway Lines
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions there have been between the Department of Transport and the Welsh Office over the future of socially necessary railway lines; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  From April socially necessary services will be a matter for the Franchising Director. Welsh Office officials have already discussed Welsh issues with him.

  Planning Commission
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what encouragement or directive the Welsh Office has given to local authorities in Wales to make provision of public transport, walking and cycling facilities and traffic management a condition of planning permission, where appropriate.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Guidance on the appropriate use of planning conditions is given in Welsh Office circular 1/85. Planning Policy Guidance Note 6, "Town Centres and Retail Development", encourages local authorities to promote effective traffic management in town centres.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many public interest immunity certificates he, or his predecessors, have been asked to sign in each year since 1979; how many he or his predecessors declined to sign; and if he will make a statement of his policy on signing public interest immunity certificates.

  Mr. Redwood
  There have been no requests to Welsh Secretaries for public interest immunity certificates to be signed since 1979. The signing of such certificates depends on the facts of each case.

  Aberconwy (Strategic Development)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how the allocation to Aberconwy borough council out of the strategic development scheme for 1994 was reached; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Strategic development scheme allocations for 1994–95 were determined by a number of factors which were common to bids from all authorities.

  A strategic approach was positively encouraged and bids forming part of an acceptable local strategy received priority. Associated factors taken fully into account included value for money, jobs created, voluntary sector input, sustainable economic development and private sector investment.

  Within this framework the merits of Aberconwy borough council's bids were assessed against those of competing bids from other authorities for finite resources.
  778
  Officials have arranged to meet officers of the council on Friday 4 March 1994.

  National Curriculum (Implementation)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been expended in preparation of paperwork, reading materials, instruction manuals and files for the implementation of the national curriculum in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since 1988, the Welsh Office has spent £20·1 million in respect of the national curriculum in Wales on the development and issue of national curriculum orders, related assessment materials, and guidance for teachers.

  Barlands Quarry, Bishopston
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will announce his decision on the public inquiry held at the Guildhall, Swansea on 8 July 1993 regarding Barlands quarry, Bishopston.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A decision will be issued as soon as possible.

SCOTLAND

  Dornoch Academy
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish the report of the recent inspection of Dornoch academy by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  This report was prepared as part of general policy advice from officials to the Secretary of State about the proposals for self-governing status submitted by the Dornoch academy school board. It will therefore not be published.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the income scale which will apply to the assisted places scheme in Scotland in school session 1994–95.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  For school session 1994–95, I propose to lay regulations before the House in due course providing for progressive parental contribution for one assisted pupil in relation to family income as follows:

  Part of relevant income to which the specified percentage applies

  Parental contribution (percentage)

  That part (if any) which exceeds £9,450 but does not exceed £10,275

  9

  That part (if any) which exceeds £10,275 but does not exceed £11,115

  12

  That part (if any) which exceeds £11,115 but does not exceed £12,781

  15

  That part (if any) which exceeds £12,781 but does not exceed £15,341

  21

  That part (if any) which exceeds £15,341 but does not exceed £18,685

  24

  That part (if any) which exceeds £18,685

  33

  779
  The relevant income scale is open ended, but the remission can, of course, be given only where the parental contribution is less than the school tuition fee.

  Agricultural Science Agency
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the performance of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency against its targets for 1993–94 and the setting of targets for 1994–95.

  Mr. Lang
  The agency is on course to meet the key performance targets for 1993–94 which I set out in my answer of 31 March 1993, column 319.

  For 1994–95 I have set the agency the following key performance targets:

  fulfilment of the Service Level Agreement with the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department within the running costs voted to the Agency for 1994–95;

  recovery of full economic costs for charged services;

  formal consultation with all major customers on the quality of the work done by the Agency in 1994–95;

  completion of 90 per cent. of all scientific tests and analyses within the timescale set by customers; and secure national quality management accreditation for the analytical chemistry and pesticide usage work of the Agency.

  Bankruptcy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many convictions were obtained against bankrupts and company directors for each of the last five years in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information is not held centrally on whether persons convicted are bankrupts or company directors.

  Earth Tremors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the last four years, and for the current year to-date(a) the location and (b) the Richter scale measurement of earth tremors that have occurred; and what structural damage was reported.

  Mr. Stewart
  The British Geological Survey has located 1,478 earthquakes in the United Kingdom and its offshore area in the period January 1990 to mid-February 1994. For seven of these earthquakes, reports have been received of minor damage to properties—none of these has occurred in Scotland. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has placed the relevant BGS reports covering the information requested in the Library of the House.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what number and percentage of women aged 16 to 60 years were employed(a) full time and (b) part time in each Scottish constituency in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information in exactly the form requested is not available. The number of female full-time and part-time employees in employment in each Scottish constituency is available from the censuses of employment carried out in 1981, 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1991. This information is on the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library. Library staff are ready to assist in accessing the information.
  780
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what number and percentage of men aged 16 to 65 years were employed in each Scottish constituency in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information in exactly the form requested is not available. The number of male employees in employment in each Scottish constituency is available from the censuses of employment carried out in 1981, 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1991. This information is on the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library. Library staff are ready to assist in accessing the information.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what percentage of(a) men and (b) women in each age group were (i) in full-time education, (ii) on Government training schemes, (iii) employed, (iv) self-employed, (v) ill or disabled, (vi) unemployed, (vii) retired or (viii) in any other category in each year since 1979 in each Scottish constituency.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is not available.

  Computer Discs
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce early legislation making illegal the production, manufacture and distribution of computer discs containing sexually explicit material.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is already an offence, under section 51(2) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, for any person to publish, sell or distribute or, with a view to its eventual sale or distribution, make, print, have or keep any obscene material. The definition of material includes any "disc or other kind of recording (whether of sound or visual images or both)". For the avoidance of doubt, a Government amendment has been tabled to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill to ensure that computer transmissions are covered by section 51. The need for further legislation will be assessed in the light of the recently published report of the Home Affairs Select Committee on computer pornography.

  Kyle and Carrick District Council
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions and on which dates he or any of his Ministers have met the Conservative group on Kyle and Carrick district council in a ministerial capacity.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 21 February 1994]: I expect to meet the Conservative group on Kyle and Carrick district council, among others, on 4 March 1994. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) met the same group on 16 July 1993. No other such meetings have taken place.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the board of the National Museum of Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: The information requested is as follows:

  781

  Mr. Robert Smith (Chairman)

  Professor Lalage Bown OBE

  Mr. Ronald Cramond CBE

  The Countess of Dalkeith

  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn QC MP

  Sir Alistair Grant

  Mr. Alexander Grant Gordon CBE

  Dr. Hugh Ingram

  Professor Peter Jones

  Dr. Derek Pringle CBE

  Dr. Anna Ritchie

  Professor Christopher Smout

  Sir John Thomson, GCMG

  All members were appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: The information is as follows.

  Hon. Lord Prosser QC (Chairman)

  Professor Gordon Benson

  Miss Kirsteen Borland

  Mr. William A. Cadell

  Mrs. Kathleen Dalyell

  Dr. Deborah Howard

  Mr. Gerald Ogilvie-Laing

  Mr. Allen S. Matheson

  Professor Tom Ridley

  Mr. Robert R. Steedman

  Professor Robin G. M. Webster

  Mr. H. Roland Wedgwood

  Urology Services (Ayrshire)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much it cost Ayrshire and Arran health board to re-run the tendering process for the area urology contract between the North Ayrshire and Arran and South Ayrshire NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what steps the Ayrshire and Arran health board has now taken to ensure that bids for contracts within its area will be considered on a comparable basis; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will make a statement listing the individual members of Ayrshire and Arran health board's evaluation committee;

  (4) pursuant to his answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 962, how many copies were produced by Ayrshire and Arran health board of its 1992–93 annual report and its financial review 1992–93; what criteria were applied by the health board in distributing these; and what arrangements the health board has made to enable the population within the Ayrshire and Arran health board area to be made aware of the contents of the report and the financial review;

  (5) what was the involvement of Alan Clark Associates in the preparation and publishing of Ayrshire and Arran health board's annual report and financial review 1992–93; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what procedure is used by Ayrshire and Arran health board to consider tenders for health services; which bodies and committees within the health board are involved in this process; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) what assessment Ayrshire and Arran health board has made of the facilities within the health board that are available for supplying urology services; what assessment has been made of the effect of the planned new day surgery unit at the Ayr hospital on this provision; and if he will make a statement.
  782
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: The information requested is not held centrally. These are matters for Ayrshire and Arran health board.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what involvement Ayrshire and Arran health board had in the decision of the South Ayrshire trust to build new day surgery facilities at the Ayr hospital; how this decision related to the award of the area urology contract to the South Ayrshire trust; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether Ayrshire and Arran health board orginally envisaged the day surgery unit opened at Crosshouse hospital on 4 October 1993 supplying urology services as part of its remit; when the proposals were drawn up; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) when the South Ayrshire Trust decided to invest in new day surgery facilities at the Ayr hospital; whether these plans were considered for inclusion in the original specification of the Ayr hospital before it was put out to tender; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: The board agreed with the decision to have day surgery units, but the precise services to be provided were not decided when the decision of principle was taken. Day surgery plans were not included in the original specifications of the Ayr hospital.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 6 December,Official Report, column 84, (1) who made representations to the NHS management executive concerning the award by Ayrshire and Arran health board of the area urology contract to the North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust which necessitated a re-running of the tendering exercise;

  (2) what information was provided, and by whom, which led the NHS management executive to conclude that the bids from the North Ayrshire and Arran and South Ayrshire trusts had not been prepared on a comparable basis; and what adjustments were made to the bids to ensure that this was the case.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: Following representations from the chairman of the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust, the then chief executive of the NHS management executive asked Ayshire and Arran health board to explain the background to its decision to award the area urology contract to the North Ayrshire NHS trust. From the information subsequently provided, it appeared that the tender from the North Ayrshire trust was based on marginal costs whereas that of the South Ayrshire trust was based on full economic costs. The health board accepted the NHS ME's view and decided that the two trusts should be invited to re-submit bids based upon a detailed specification.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what current facilities within the Ayrshire and Arran health board area are available to be used for urology services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: Urology services within the Ayrshire and Arran health board area are provided from 46 in-patient beds and operating theatre sessions at the Ayr and Ballochmyle hospitals together with out-patient clinics at Ballochmyle and Ayrshire central hospitals.

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the South Ayrshire national health service trust or the North Ayrshire and Arran national health service trust offer contractual incentives to general practitioner fundholders within Ayrshire and Arran health board to secure contracts for treating their patients; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: No. Both NHS trusts have confirmed that they do not offer any contractual incentives to GP fundholders.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which procedures are used by Ayrshire and Arran health board to make the NHS trusts within the health board aware of long-term service needs.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: Ayrshire and Arran health board's revised local health strategy, published in October 1993, sets out its strategy for the promotion of health and purchasing of health services for its residents over the next 10 years. The three NHS trusts within the board area were specifically consulted about the board's plans prior to publication.

  Contracting Procedures
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions the NHS management executive has ordered a tendering process for NHS contracts to be rerun; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: There has been only one occasion on which the NHS management executive felt that the tendering process for an NHS contract should be re-run.

  Ministerial Instructions
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the occasions since 1979 when Ministers have issued written instructions to override his Department's accounting officer's objections.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: An extensive search of departmental records and inquiries of past and serving officials has identified no such occasion.

  Family Mediation Scotland
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding has been awarded to Family Mediation Scotland for the next three years in relation to grant applications under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]: Family Mediation Scotland was awarded a grant of £56,000 per year for three years from 1992–93. The organisation is free to apply for a further grant after 1994–95.

  Mossend Freight Terminal
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of effect on the level of freight traffic over the Kingston bridge of the opening of the Mossend freight terminal.
  784
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]: Issues relating to roads outwith the trunk network are the direct responsibility of the local roads authority, which in the case of the Kingston bridge and the M8 within Glasgow is Strathclyde regional council. My right hon. Friend has consequently undertaken no such assessment.

  European Ferry Link
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what feasibility study has been carried out on the effect on Scottish trade levels with eastern Europe of the introduction of a direct ferry link from Scotland to the mainland of Europe; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]: I understand that a study has been carried out on behalf of Scottish Enterprise with a view to establishing the feasibility and likely impact of a direct ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe. The study team was not given a specific remit to consider the effect on trade levels with eastern Europe, but I understand that the direct impact of such a service alone would be likely to be minimal.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what feasibility study has been carried out into the effect of transport costs to Scottish industry if Rosyth was developed as a direct ferry link to Europe; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]: I understand that a study has been carried out on behalf of Scottish Enterprise with a view to establishing the feasibility and likely impact of a direct ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe. The study did not focus specifically on Rosyth; the choice of ports between which a service would operate would be for any potential operator to determine.

  The study concluded that the introduction of a direct ferry service would give only a minor direct cost advantage to transport operators. The major benefit to Scottish industry would be in terms of the increased flexibility which the availability of alternative routing would provide.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what feasibility study has been commissioned into developing ferry links from Rosyth to the continent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]: I understand that a study has been carried out on behalf of Scottish Enterprise with a view to establishing the feasibility and likely impact of a direct ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe. The study did not focus specifically on Rosyth; the choice of ports between which a service would operate would be for any potential operator to determine.

  The study highlighted difficulties which might arise from the seasonal nature of tourism traffic to Scotland, but concluded that such a service was potentially viable. Scottish Enterprise is currently exploring the possibility of attracting an operator.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the national health service management executive in Scotland monitors the financial terms of the
  785
  contracts awarded by national health service trusts to general practitioner fundholders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: No. Health boards are responsible for monitoring the terms of the contracts awarded by national health service trusts to general practitioner fundholders. For that purpose general practitioner fundholders are required to lodge copies of all their contracts with their health board.

DEFENCE

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding catering arrangements for British troops in Bosnia.

  Mr. Hanley
  Every effort is made to ensure that the standard of catering for British troops in Bosnia is as close as possible to the high standard they would receive at their parent locations. To ensure that this is so, sufficient fresh food for 30 days' rations is held in theatre and is resupplied weekly. All troops receive a standard British breakfast and a choice of dishes for lunch and dinner.

  The United Nations has recently indicated that it would like to bring the British force into the United Nations ration supply system. Tomislavgrad has been chosen as the site for a two-week trial beginning on 1 April. As a convoy staging area with constant fluctuations in the number of personnel requiring food, Tomislavgrad should present a thorough examination of the United Nation's ability to maintain the quantity and quality of rations demanded by the British contingent.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has of the number of low flying training exercises held since 1 October 1993 in airspace over,(a) Orkney and Shetland, (b) Edinburgh, Pentlands, (c) Thanet, South and (d) Huntingdon.

  Mr. Hanley
  Central records of all low flying exercises in the United Kingdom are not held. However, central records are held of major low flying exercises where advance notice has been given to Members of Parliament whose constituents may see a change in the pattern of air activity. Since 1 October 1993 one major exercise involving activity in the areas listed has been notified in this way. Exercise Northern Crusade is taking place between 1 and 13 March and involves Hercules aircraft flying in the Huntingdon area.

  EH101
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the export potential for the EH101 helicopter, following ministerial visits to the middle east.

  Mr. Aitken
  The EH101 helicopter has substantial export potential worldwide, including the middle east. The Defence Export Services Organisation is working closely with the manufacturer in identifying and pursuing opportunities.
  786

  Redundant Properties
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions his Department is making to ensure the future protection and maintenance of redundant historic buildings.

  Mr. Hanley
  Redundant historic buildings are secured in a wind and weathertight condition during the period when they are out of use pending the earliest possible disposal to new owners for suitable alternative use.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the consequences on local economies of the programme of closure and disposal of redundant properties.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department's primary reason for disposing of redundant properties is to ensure that the most cost-effective use is made of available resources. When a site is, however, identified for disposal, local planning authorities are consulted to establish what other use might be made of the property in question. We do, of course, give as much assistance as possible to individual employees who might be affected by any closure.

  Dartmouth Royal Naval College
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the security review at Dartmouth Royal Naval college; who commissioned it; who tendered for it; when it was comissioned; how many staff were engaged in it; what was relevant experience; what were the principal recommendations; which recommendations have been implemented; and what was the actual cost to the Exchequer.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department commissioned an internal study in 1989 to review security arrangements at a number of establishments in the light of the terrorist threat. The study team consisted of five MOD security specialists and their principal recommendations affecting BRNC Dartmouth involved enhancement to security manpower, improvements in internal communications and a number of other physical security enhancements. All these recommendations have been implemented, at a total capital cost of approximately £140,000, plus extra running costs of approximately £960,000 per annum.

  RAF Training
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long it takes to train RAF skilled airframe and engine fitters; and how many years' experience is required before they reach the rank of sergeant and flight sergeant.

  Mr. Hanley
  The trades referred to are now known as engineering technician airframe and engineering technician propulsion. Trade training is by a combination of some 131 weeks of various technical courses and a period of one to two years of productive service.

  Promotion to sergeant and flight sergeant is by selection on merit to fill establishment vacancies. There is an intervening rank of chief technician for which promotion is also by selection on merit. The length of time taken to achieve promotion to these ranks varies from year to year depending on the number of establishment vacancies and the level of competition.
  787
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the number of RAF skilled people working in training and support roles who will be required immediately to join active duty squadrons in the event of a war.

  Mr. Hanley
  It would not be appropriate to comment on the detailed reinforcement capability of the armed forces.

  1969

  1979

  1989

  1994

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Lightning F3/F6

  60

  5

  24

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Phantom FG1

  —

  —

  22

  2

  29

  2

  —

  —

  Phantom FGR2

  —

  —

  30

  3

  16

  1

  —

  —

  Phantom F4J

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1

  —

  —

  Tornado F3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  35

  3

  80

  6

  Total

  60

  5

  76

  7

  90

  7

  80

  6

  Strike Duty
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft and squadrons were designated for strike duty in the years 1969, 1979, 1989 and 1994.

  1969

  1979

  1989

  1994

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Aircraft

  Squadrons

  Canberra B(I)6

  11

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Canberra B(I)8

  36

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buccaneer

  45

  3

  50

  4

  24

  2

  —

  —

  Vulcan B2

  64

  8

  48

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sea Harrier

  —

  —

  16

  2

  24

  3

  —

  —

  Jaguar GRl/la

  —

  —

  60

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tornado GRl/la/lb

  —

  —

  —

  —

  114

  10

  96

  8

  Total

  156

  15

  174

  16

  162

  15

  96

  8

  A decision was taken in 1992 to withdraw the capability of Sea Harriers to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.

  One-stop Shop
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider setting up a one-stop shop to deal with all ex-service people and veterans.
  788

  UK Airspace (Defence)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft and squadrons were designated for the air defence of United Kingdom airspace in the years 1969, 1979, 1989 and 1994.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of RAF aircraft and squadrons, excluding in-use reserves or those on operational conversion units, based in the United Kingdom for the air defence of United Kingdom airspace were:

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of aircraft and squadrons, excluding in-use reserves or those on operational conversion units, designated for strategic and sub-strategic nuclear use against land and surface maritime targets were:

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department has no plans to establish such a service as we believe that it would only add an unnecessary layer of administration and would not result in a better service than is already available to ex-service people and veterans through the health and social security services.

  LIBERIA: UN OBSERVER MISSION REPORT
  LIBERIA: UN OBSERVER MISSION REPORT
  LIBERIA: SUPPORT PAYMENTS FOR UN MISSION
  LIBERIA: SUPPORT PAYMENTS FOR UN MISSION
  IGADD: POSSIBLE EU COLLABORATION
  IGADD: POSSIBLE EU COLLABORATION
  AZERBAIJAN/NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
  AZERBAIJAN/NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
  MACEDONIA: GREEK RESTRICTIONS
  MACEDONIA: GREEK RESTRICTIONS
  MOLDOVA
  MOLDOVA
  ARMENIA: IBRD LOAN
  ARMENIA: IBRD LOAN
  CARIBBEAN BANANA INDUSTRY: ASSISTANCE
  CARIBBEAN BANANA INDUSTRY: ASSISTANCE
  BANANA INDUSTRY LOSSES: STABEX COMPENSATION
  BANANA INDUSTRY LOSSES: STABEX COMPENSATION
  LONDON BOROUGHS TRANSPORT SCHEME: PERMIT SYSTEM
  LONDON BOROUGHS TRANSPORT SCHEME: PERMIT SYSTEM
  LONDON UNDERGROUND: VANDALISM
  LONDON UNDERGROUND: VANDALISM
  GUINNESS PLC: INQUIRY COSTS
  GUINNESS PLC: INQUIRY COSTS
  ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION, WALES
  ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION, WALES
  HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TRUSTS, NORTHERN IRELAND
  HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TRUSTS, NORTHERN IRELAND
  TEACHERS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1994
  TEACHERS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1994
  GLOUCESTERSHIRE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
  GLOUCESTERSHIRE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
  TELEVISION AERIALS AND SATELLITE DISHES
  TELEVISION AERIALS AND SATELLITE DISHES