Written Answers of 7 March 1994

TRANSPORT

  Roads (Costs)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost per mile for(a) porous asphalt road surface material and (b) concrete surfaces for (i) single carriageway road, (ii) two-lane dual carriageway roads, (iii) three-lane dual carriageway roads and (iv) four-lane dual carriageway roads.

  Mr. Key
  The approximate costs per mile of surfacing the various standards of road are shown in the table:

  £k

  Porous asphalt

  Typical concrete road

  Single carriageway

  90

  450

  2 Iane dual—all purpose

  180

  900

  —motorway

  220

  1,100

  3 Iane dual—all purpose

  250

  1,260

  —motorway

  275

  1,380

  4 Iane dual—all purpose

  —

  —

  —motorway

  345

  1,750

  These figures are indicative only because both site and choice of pavement design will cause them to vary. Further, the figures for porous asphalt are based on limited experience.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the average costs of constructing one mile of dual three lane motorway(a) in a tunnel and (b) on the surface.

  Mr. Key
  The cost of building roads and tunnels varies considerably dependent upon location, topography and ground conditions. At current prices the average total cost of building one mile of dual three-lane motorway on the surface would be between £6 million and £10 million. Building the same length in tunnel would probably cost at least £60 million and possibly as much as £150 million.

  Road Construction
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent investigations have been carried out into the relationship between link road and motorway buildings and employment and prosperity.

  Mr. Key
  Among recent United Kingdom studies into this issue of which I am aware are a study commissioned jointly by Glasgow development agency and Scottish Enterprise National on the "Economic Benefits of the M74 Norther Extension"—Kennedy McTavish Ltd., Oscar Faber TPA, and Cambridge Systematics Inc, August 1993; one by E. T. Judge on "Regional Issues and Transport Infrastructure: some reflections on the Lancashire—Yorkshire Motorway" published in 1983; and an 2
  investigation by P. J. Mackie et al of the institute of transport studies, Leeds University into the likely effects of the second Severn crossing, 1986. The centre for transport studies of the university of London is currently embarking upon a study into the impact of the new A14 M1–A1 link road for the British Road Federation. There are a number of other recent studies carried out in the United States and Netherlands.

  Vehicle Congestion
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been made by his Department of work done by the Oxford university transport studies unit concerning the effect on congestion of vehicle mileage increases.

  Mr. Key
  I am aware of work on this topic carried out by the TSU. I am concerned about the impact of traffic growth on congestion. Failing to invest in road improvements will cause congestion to increase, which will damage the economy. It has been suggested that road improvement may itself make some contribution to traffic growth. The extent of this effect is being studied by the Department of Transport's standing advisory committee on trunk road assessment, which is due to report later this year. It is, however, clear that economic growth rather than road provision is the main determinant of demand.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide figures for the amount his Department has been reimbursed by the Department of Social Security in respect of statutory sick pay provision for each of the past three years.

  Mr. Norris
  A figure for 1990–91 is not available. The sums reimbursed in 1991–92 were approximately £706,000; and £1·04 million in 1992–93. Reimbursements in the current financial year are expected to remain around £1 million.

  Consultancies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, what was the network referencing listed under the column headed "Service Required"; and what KPMG provided.

  Mr. Norris
  The network referencing project concerned the review and possible re-development of the existing computer-based model of the trunk road and motorway network. This model is used by the Department's computerised network information system, which helps decisions on highway investment.

  KPMG was commissioned in September 1992 to review the Department's business requirements for network-based data and to recommend an effective referencing system. KPMG's report in May 1993 recommended the simplification of the current network model, and provided a business case to justify the re-development.

  Mrs Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31
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  January, Official Report, column 496, what duties the temporary finance director, hired from Coopers and Lybrand, carried out; and for how long that director was employed.

  Mr. Norris
  The purpose of this appointment between 3 August 1992 and 31 January 1993 at the Transport Research Laboratory was to cover the delay in appointing a permanent finance director from the private sector; and to assist in developing a culture of service that would encourage a more commercial orientation in the finance department.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, what was the study of EC directives under the column headed "Service Required"; and what service Coopers and Lybrand provided.

  Mr. Norris
  The study by Coopers and Lybrand was into directive 91/440/EC on the development of Community railways. Coopers and Lybrand provided recommendations on, among other matters, accounting separation, track charging and mechanisms for access to the railway network arising from this directive.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, what was the OPRAF consultancy under the column headed "Service Required"; and what service Ernst and Young provided.

  Mr. Norris
  The OPRAF consultancy was commissioned to identify the business objectives, business processes and information requirements of the rail regulator and the director of rail franchising, and to consider and evaluate these and future IT requirements. Ernst and Young performed this study, producing a formal report, and subsequently developed an implementation plan, more detailed specifications and recommendations for technical strategy options.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, what was the DISC network policy under the column headed "Service Required"; and what service KPMG provided.

  Mr. Norris
  The DISC network policy project was set up to develop a technical strategy for wide area computer networking provision and network management services. KPMG provided business and technical expertise, and assistance in the preparation of policy guidance for the departmental information systems committee—DISC.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, if he will set out in detail the type of financial advice provided by Capita in 1993.

  Mr. Norris
  Capita Management Consultants was asked to review the financial and management information systems used to plan, monitor, control and report 4
  expenditure on accommodation and office services; to develop proposals for a computerised management accounting system; to advise on time and activity recording systems; to calculate the full economic costs of each service; and to assist in developing service level agreements and baseline costings for market testing services.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, what was the senior staff review under the column headed "Service Required"; and what service Price Waterhouse provided.

  Mr. Norris
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency reviewed and revised its senior structure in order to further improve the management of its organisation. Price Waterhouse gave advice and assistance in that process.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) of 31 January,Official Report, column 496, what duties were carried out by the temporary accountant hired from Michael Page Finance; and how long the accountant was employed.

  Mr. Norris
  The purpose of this appointment was to cover staff absence during the period 5 May 1993 to 27 August 1993; and to assist in the preparation of the first set of commercial accounts for the Transport Research Laboratory.

  Fewston Transport
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many lorries from Fewston Transport of Skipton have been employed on motorway building or maintenance contracts; whether Fewston's vehicles have ever been checked or prosecuted for safety infringements; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will exclude Fewston Transport of Skipton from all future and present motorway contracts;

  (3) what requirements on vehicle safety are imposed on contractors and subcontractors on motorway projects; what inspection procedures are in place for vehicle safety; and what sanctions are imposed on firms found running unsafe vehicles.

  Mr. Key
  All vehicles which use public roads must meet the relevant legal requirements, the enforcement of which is a matter for the police and the Department of Transport's vehicle inspectors.

  The vehicle inspectorate has conducted annual roadworthiness tests and roadside spot checks on vehicles belonging to Fewston Transport; the operator has not been prosecuted under his current licence for any vehicle roadworthiness defects or for being overweight.

  The Department has no contracts directly with Fewston Transport although the firm may have been engaged as haulage contractors by other contractors or suppliers working on the Department's trunk roads and motorways.

  The Department's contracts require compliance with the law generally. We are considering the practicality of a specific requirement that main contractors ensure all goods vehicles using the site are covered by a valid operator's

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  licence. Persistent failure to do so would be a factor taken into account in offering future opportunities to tender for departmental contracts.

  The Department has also formed a joint working group on illegal operations to address the problem of illegal operators and to coordinate enforcement action against them.

  A27
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the price(a) paid to those who have to sell their property in connection with the development of the A27 in the Worthing area because of urgent personal problems and (b) of their or similar properties before the A27 schemes were announced; and if he will now purchase properties whose owners need to move because of urgent personal problems under the blight conditions.

  Mr. Key
  The purchase price is the full market value of the property as agreed with the district valuer, calculated as if the scheme had never been proposed. The valuation basis is therefore the same as would have applied before the proposals were announced.

  The Department has already agreed to purchase, under discretionary powers, more than 90 properties in the Worthing area whose enjoyment would be seriously affected by the proposals and whose owners need to move because of urgent personal problems. It will continue to do so where the discretionary purchase criteria are met.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken into the effectiveness of seat belts in preventing injury in coach and minibus crashes, with particular regard to the relative merits of lap-only belts and three-point belts.

  Mr. Key
  My Department has carried out a good deal of research on seat belts, primarily in connection with cars, much of which can be used to inform policy decisions on seat belts on public service vehicles.

  Both lap and three-point belts are effective in preventing ejection from the vehicle which is a major cause of injury in accidents involving coaches and minibuses.

  British Rail
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each year since 1979(a) British Rail line closures and (b) British Rail passenger and freight service reductions.

  Mr. Freeman
  Between 1981 and 1994 British Rail passenger services were discontinued on the lines listed. There were no closures in 1979 and 1980. There have of course been a number of new services introduced in this period.

  1981

  Kentish Town junctio—Engine shed junction (north London)

  New Holland to New Holland pier (south Humberside)

  1982

  Dore West—Dore South junction (south Yorkshire)

  Norwood Fork junction—Selhurst junction (south London)

  Blaydon junction—Newcastle West junction (Tyne and Wear)

  March East junction—Spalding South junction s(Cambs/Lines)

  6

  Sleaford South junction—Sleaford North junction (Lincs)

  Greetwell West junction—Pyewipe junction (Lincs)

  1983

  Glasgow—Kilmacolm (Strathclyde)

  Woodside—Selsdon (south London)

  Clayton West junction and Clayton West and Denby Dale and

  Sheffield Nunnery junction (west and south Yorkshire)

  Bidston junction—Seacombe junction (Merseyside)

  1985

  Tunbridge Wells West—Eridge (Kent)

  Tottenham Hale—Stratford (east London)

  1986

  Broad Street—Dalston junction (east London)

  Balloch Central to Balloch pier (Strathclyde)

  1987

  Goosehill—Wath Road (west Yorkshire)

  1988

  Agecroft—Brindle Heath (Greater Manchester)

  Burton Lane—Rowntree Halt (north Yorkshire)

  1989

  Vale of Rheidol line (Dyfed)

  1990

  Wortley Curve (west Yorkshire)

  Methley junction—Altofts junction (west Yorkshire)

  Mexborough junction—Aldwarke junction (south Yorkshire)

  North Pole junction—Old Oak Common East junction (west London)

  1991

  West Parade North junction—Anlaby Road junction (north Humberside)

  1992

  Tilbury East and West junctions—Tilbury Riverside (Essex)

  Camden junction—Camden Road junction and Navarino

  junction—Reading Lane junction (north and east London)

  1993

  Castleford-Milford junction (west and north Yorkshire)

  1994

  Philips Park No. 1 junction—Ashburys West junction and

  Denton junction—Ashton Moss junction (Greater Manchester)

  Comparable information is not available for freight-only lines, which have not been subject to statutory closure procedures.

  Details of alterations to levels of service on individual passenger and freight lines between 1979 and 1994 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Commercial Vehicles (Accidents)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take urgent action to seek a change in the law to make directors of firms, whose neglect of maintenance of commercial vehicles is the cause of road deaths, personally responsible for manslaughter.

  Mr. Key
  The Law Commission is currently reviewing the law on manslaughter and expects shortly to publish a consultation paper.

  Minibus Drivers
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the current licensing requirements for minibus drivers; and what plans he has to review them, with particular regard to those drivers transporting children.
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  Mr. Key
  Passenger-carrying vehicle driving entitlement is required to drive any minibus over eight passenger seats when driven for hire or reward. A public consultation on changes arising from the second EC directive on driver licensing, which requires stringent medical and driving test standards for drivers of these vehicles, will include proposals for volunteer drivers of minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats.

  Under current legislation drivers who hold ordinary car licences have entitlement to drive vehicles of up to eight passenger seats. If they are 21 years of age or over they are also allowed to drive a minibus with up to 17 seats, including the driver's, provided it is not for hire or reward.

  Nature Conservation
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he intends to operate the Transport and Works Act 1992 so as to comply with the requirements of the European Union directive 92/43 EEC on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Macgregor
  Compliance will be achieved by appropriate amendments to the 1992 Act by means of regulations to be made under powers conferred by section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972.

  Trunk Road Schemes
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each region all proposals for trunk road widening or construction that are(a) now due to proceed in the course of the next three years, (b) deferred from the next three years following his recent review of the roads programme, but still due to proceed at some future date and (c) originally intended to commence in the next three years but now cancelled completely; and if he will indicate the estimated cost in each case.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 28 February,Official Report, columns 565–66, concerning trunk road schemes due for start of works in 1994–95.

  A prioritisation review of the national trunk road programme is currently under way, the conclusions of which will be published shortly.

  Coach Crashes (Children)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all coach crashes involving the transport of children for the period since 1984, together with a breakdown of fatalities, serious injuries and lesser injuries.

  Mr. Key
  The table shows the number of coach accidents in which a child occupant was injured, and the consequent number of child occupant casualties in each of the three injury severity groups.

  Coach accidents in which a child occupant was injured, and consequent child occupant casualties: GB 1984–1992

  Accidents/casualties

  Child casualties by severity

  Accidents

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1984

  1,067

  1

  129

  1,418

  1,548

  1985

  999

  2

  87

  1,311

  1,400

  1986

  978

  1

  86

  1,248

  1,335

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  Child casualties by severity

  Accidents

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1987

  824

  0

  70

  1,173

  1,243

  1988

  929

  0

  63

  1,256

  1,319

  1989

  1,015

  2

  93

  1,472

  1,567

  1990

  926

  2

  70

  1,369

  1,441

  1991

  850

  1

  65

  1,117

  1,183

  1992

  879

  1

  49

  1,303

  1,353

  New Roads and Street Works Act
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether the groups employed by Nynex Cable Comms in Bolton are working in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; when he intends to respond to the representations from local authorities concerning this Act; what plans he has to change the current legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Assessments in relation to particular local roads are a matter for the local highway authority rather than for me. I have received a number of representations about the operation of the Act, including two letters from my hon. Friend to which I shall reply shortly. We have no plans to change the Act itself but much of its detailed effect is contained in regulations which we are reviewing at present and will change if it is appropriate to do so.

  Road Construction Programme
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each year since 1979(a) the proposed schemes in the Government's road forward construction programme and (b) any deletions or additions to the forward construction programme; and which of those schemes were at the planning stage, at the consultation stage, in construction or to be completed by April 1994.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the information contained in the following White Papers and road reports, copies of which are in the Library:

  Policy for Roads: England 1980—(Cmnd 7908).

  Policy for Roads: England 1981—(Cmnd 8496).

  Roads in England 1982.

  Policy for Roads in England: 1983—(Cmnd 9059).

  National Roads England 1985.

  Policy for Roads in England: 1987—(Cm 125 I–II).

  Roads for Prosperity (1989)—(Cm 693).

  Trunk Roads, England: Into the 1990s (1990).

  A prioritisation review of the national trunk road programme is currently under way, the conclusions of which will be published shortly.

  Channel Tunnel Link
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has now checked that all information given by him in the House in relation to the Ashford section of the channel tunnel link, was accurate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Since my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 24 January, Union Railways has suggested that a route through the barracks to the west of Ashford may now be practicable. Consultation is taking place on this new route option in addition to the two options mentioned in the statement.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the basis upon which grants to local authorities in connection with section 20 of the Transport Act 1968 to meet increased track charges to be levied by Railtrack for passenger railway operations will be reduced in the year 1995–96 as compared with 1994–95;

  (2) what is the basis upon which grants to local authorities in connection with section 20 of the Transport Act 1968 will be increased in the financial year 1994–95 to meet increased track access charges to be levied by Railtrack for passenger railway operations;

  (3) what proportion of the increased track charges to be levied by Railtrack for passenger railway services operated under the provisions of section 20 of the Transport Act 1968 will be met by locally-raised revenue, including the council tax;

  (4) whether grants to local authorities under section 20 of the Transport Act 1968 to meet increased track access charges to be levied by Railtrack for passenger rail way operations will be made directly to passenger transport authorities or to their constituent metropolitan authorities.

  Mr. Freeman
  Special grants will be paid in 1994–95 to the six English passenger transport authorities, PTAs, to cover the additional costs of maintaining existing service levels of metropolitan passenger rail services resulting from the restructuring of the railway and the introduction of new charging systems for the use of track and rolling stock. In Scotland the extra costs arising in 1994–95 will be paid direct to Strathclyde regional council through the Scottish Office.

  These grants will cover the difference between the costs that the passenger transport executives, PTEs, would have incurred under the existing regime and the revised costs once the new charging systems are in place, less amounts being paid to the PTEs in respect of past investment that they have financed through capital grant.

  It is our intention to cover the additional costs in 1995–96 and beyond through enhancing the rail "bolt-on" within metropolitan districts' standard spending assessment. The Government will he reviewing the formula for establishing the "bolt-on" in the light of the new charges. In Scotland, the additional costs will be covered in future local government finance settlements.

  The proportion of the. cost of supporting local rail services by locally raised revenue can be expected, therefore, not to increase.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that grants awarded to local authorities in PTA areas, for the purpose of meeting additional charges imposed by rail operators and resulting from access charges set by Railtrack should be ring-fenced for that purpose beyond 1994–95.

  Mr. Freeman
  As I explained in my letter to the chairman of the public transport committee of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities of 30 September 1993, special grants will be paid to the six English passenger transport authorities in 1994–95; thereafter the additional costs resulting from the introduction of new charging systems following the restructuring of the railway will be recognised by enhancing the rail "bolt-on" within metropolitan districts' standard spending assessment.
  10
  In Scotland the additional costs arising in 1994–95 will be paid direct to Strathclyde regional council through the Scottish Office. Thereafter, the additional costs will be covered in future local government finance settlements.

  A1-M1 Link
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to(a) commence and (b) be completed on the Doncaster metropolitan borough council section of the A1–M1 link road servicing the Dearne valley area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The two schemes proposed by Doncaster borough council are on the A635 and would bypass Marr and Hickleton. The council hopes to begin both schemes in 1996 for completion in 1997.

  Roads
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects any major trunk road schemes in Suffolk and Norfolk to be progressed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  A great deal is currently being progressed.

  I recently announced a start of works on two schemes in Norfolk, A11 Besthorpe-Wymondham and A47 Walpole Tilney-Tilney High End. Construction also continues on the A140 Scole-Dickleburgh improvement. The eastern relief road in Lowestoft Market to Saxmundham were published on 1 March and a public inquiry into draft orders for A12 Hopton on Sea was held in January this year. Progress on other schemes is dependent upon the outcome of the review of the road programme. I hope to make an announcement on that soon.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 124 concerning the cost of the crossrail project, what he meant by the base cost: and whether it included the alterations to the project contained in the additional provision deposited in January 1993.

  Mr. Norris
  (holding answer 4 March 1994]: The base cost estimate of the crossrail project is the estimate believed to be as close as possible to the likely value of contracts to be awarded for the works in a competitive tendering climate when the relevant industries are neither in recession nor over-extended; the £1,703 million base cost estimate referred to in my answer of 11 January includes the cost of the works defined in the additional provision deposited in January 1993.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 124 concerning the cost of the crossrail project, how the estimated sum of £259 million for property purchases and compensation for loss and disturbance to property was arrived at; how much of this sum relates to the purchase of rights in property required for the building of crossrail; and how much relates to compensation for loss and disturbance to property owners.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: The estimated sum of £259 million for property purchases and compensation for loss and disturbance to property was a

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  preliminary estimate of the compensation payable in respect of properties which would need to be purchased; it is intended to cover both the market value of the property and compensation for disturbance. The figure is necessarily an overall approximation; the final figure will depend on the outcome of detailed future negotiations between the crossrail Bill promoters and the owners and tenants of the properties affected.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions since 1979 when overseas aid has been made conditional on trade deals.

  Gross public expenditure on bilateral aid 1980 to 1992–93

  £ thousands

  Bangladesh

  Ecuador

  India

  Indonesia

  Jordan

  Malaysia

  Nigeria

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Thailand

  1980

  66,190

  945

  86,080

  11,190

  4,682

  10,547

  4,921

  384

  22,245

  4,736

  1981

  33,383

  762

  168,550

  15,350

  7,086

  10,124

  4,231

  452

  24,613

  7,791

  1982

  23,537

  1,046

  54,204

  17,219

  3,308

  6,381

  4,913

  663

  18,738

  4,008

  1983

  24,728

  783

  127,600

  12,358

  2,747

  3,872

  5,480

  641

  16,612

  5,553

  1984

  35,656

  916

  146,537

  28,292

  6,105

  4,992

  5,584

  570

  18,016

  20,036

  1985

  41,173

  909

  106,466

  33,649

  2,332

  7,454

  6,240

  500

  16,569

  7,437

  1986

  38,321

  836

  143,481

  8,898

  5,641

  55,494

  5,580

  610

  20,715

  4,215

  1987

  31,634

  2,560

  78,464

  12,223

  4,809

  9,779

  6,584

  457

  22,475

  5,358

  1987–88

  31,265

  1,707

  99,097

  14,660

  4,495

  12,524

  8,163

  740

  22,599

  4,924

  1988–89

  48,161

  1,473

  84,647

  17,366

  2,822

  8,300

  6,310

  773

  28,183

  23,879

  1989–90

  55,827

  1,135

  87,652

  21,616

  5,105

  8,026

  67,703

  815

  30,478

  11,575

  1990–91

  51,629

  5,682

  100,815

  24,854

  10,925

  27,907

  35,470

  825

  43,476

  9,383

  1991–92

  57,731

  1,233

  136,386

  34,425

  3,122

  15,850

  14,460

  1,044

  37,239

  4,002

  1992–93

  65,717

  3,435

  115,370

  33,164

  14,717

  20,995

  15,855

  750

  34,483

  34,321

  Note: After 1987, British Aid Statistics were produced on a financial year basis.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the contract awarded to Biwater or companies connected with Biwater in 1986 for a water supply system in Malaysia, supported by United Kingdom Government financial assistance, was the subject of competitive tender.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]: No. Biwater secured the project under a negotiated contract with the client, the Malaysian Ministry of Public Works.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electoral Register
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Home Office has taken to ensure that(a) people with learning disabilities and (b) people with sensory disabilities are registered to vote.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Last year we provided guidance for electoral registration officers on the registration of people with learning disabilities. We have also circulated guidance prepared by the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Spastics Society. As part of our post-election review, the RNIB and the Spastics Society were invited to a meeting to discuss the difficulties faced by disabled
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  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: The provision of overseas aid is not conditional on trade deals. Bilateral aid is largely tied to the procurement of United Kingdom goods and services for projects or programmes supported which we and the recipient Government have agreed as developmental priorities.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the level of aid given to(a) Bangladesh, (b) Ecuador, (c) India, (d) Indonesia, (e) Jordan, (f) Malaysia, (g) Nigeria, (h) Oman, (i) Pakistan and (j) Thailand in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]: The levels of gross bilateral aid disbursements to the countries specified were as follows:

  electors. Their concerns are reflected in the reports of the working groups concerned with particular aspects of the review, copies of which are being placed in the Library.

  Drug Offenders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were convicted of drug offences in the Greater London area during 1993.

  Mr. Maclean
  The 1993 court proceedings data will not be available until the autumn 1994.

  In 1992, within the Metropolitan police district and the City of London, 4,828 males and 521 females were convicted of drug offences.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held at Blakenhurst prison on 28 February; and what category has been given to this prison.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Terry Davis, dated 7 March 1994:
  13
  HM Prison Blakenhurst
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking about the number of prisoners at Blakenhurst prison on 28 February, and what category has been given to the prison.
  On 28 February 574 prisoners were held in Blakenhurst, which is a category 13 local prison.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is the Home Office representative at Blakenhurst prison; what is his job title; and what are his responsibilities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Prison Service representative at Her Majesty's prison Blakenhurst is a controller appointed under section 85(1)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The controller is a governor III and he is supported by a deputy controller and a secretary. Responsibilities of controllers are set out in section 85(4) of the same Act.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that Mr. Bernard Higgins is a suitable person to be director of Blakenhurst prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Under section 85(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 every contracted-out prison has to have a director who must be a prisoner custody officer specially approved and appointed by the Secretary of State. A person may not be appointed as a prisoner custody officer unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to perform the relevant functions and has received training to the standard appropriate for the performance of those functions.

  The Secretary of State was so satisfied in the case of Mr. Higgins, who was formerly a governor in the Prison Service, and gave approval for his appointment as director in October 1993.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his answer of 2 March, Official Report, columns 738–40, how many units of accommodation are temporarily unusable;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 2 March, Official Report, columns 738–40. how many prisoners have been transferred to other prisons; and if he will name the prisons.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 7 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Blakenhurst prison.
  No cell accommodation at Blakenhurst was made unusable as a result of the incident there on 24 February but a control room and office accommodation, which are essential for control purposes, were damaged. The certified normal accommodation (649) has therefore been temporarily reduced to 590 to enable repairs to be carried out and to ensure that control is maintained. The normal occupancy level will be resumed in the week beginning 7 March.
  61 prisoners were transferred following the incident to other prisons. The establishments concerned were Pentonville, Highdown, Wormwood Scrubs, Norwich, Elmley, Bullingdon, Belmarsh, Shrewsbury, Winchester and Birmingham prisons.

  Protection of Pet Animals
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many communications he has received during the consultation on deregulation on the European convention No. ETS 125 for the protection of pet animals; how many were in favour and how many against; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received to (a) raise the age at which a child can buy an animal from a pet shop to 16 years and (b) license animal sanctuaries, in order that the United Kingdom can sign and ratify the European convention No. ETS 125 for the protection of pet animals.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Department has received 14 responses to its consultative letter on the European convention for the protection of pet animals. Nine were in favour of the United Kingdom ratifying the convention and five argued against.

  In addition to responses to the consultative exercise, the Department has, since January 1992, received one letter from the public arguing that the minimum age at which someone may be sold a pet animal should be raised to 16 years; and one letter proposing that animal sanctuaries should be licensed.

  Prisoners (Funerals)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to prison governors in dealing with requests from prisoners to be allowed to attend funerals under escort; and if he will place a copy of this guidance in the Library.

  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. Terry Davis, dated 7 March 1994.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prisoners'escorted absences to attend funerals.
  Guidance for Governors is contained in Standing Order 7E, its accompanying Circular Instruction (43/1990), and the Security Manual, section 59.
  Copies of these documents are already in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people detained at Blakenhurst prison were allowed to attend family funerals under escort(a) in January and (b) in February;

  (2) how many requests from prisoners at Blakenhurst prison to attend funerals under escort were refused (a) in January and (b) in February;

  (3) how much money is paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for the cost of escorting prisoners at Blakenhurst prison to funerals and other important family events.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Terry Davis, dated 7 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about prisoners at Blakenhurst prison attending funerals and other important family events.

  15
  Two prisoners at Blakenhurst were allowed to attend family funerals under escort in January and none in February. No prisoners were refused attendance at funerals in January and three prisoners were refused in February.
  UKDS tendered to provide the service set out in the contract for the whole operation of the prison, including escorting prisoners to court and elsewhere, and are paid an agreed sum for this total service.

  Prison Governors
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the entitlement of prison governors to time off work to attend family funerals.

  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. Terry Davis, dated 7 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the entitlement of prison governors to time off work to attend family funerals.
  Special leave for this purpose is not an entitlement. Wherever possible, however, subject to the operational needs of establishments, governors would be allowed time off, with pay, to attend the funeral of a close relative or dependant.

  Voter Registration
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve voter registration amongst 17 to 25-year-olds.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We carry out an annual advertising campaign to encourage people to complete and return the electoral registration form, and provide posters and leaflets aimed at young people. We also commission research into the working methods of electoral registration officers which is used to inform guidance to assist them in their task of drawing up a comprehensive register.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the proportion of those eligible to vote in this year's European Parliament election who are aged between 18 and 25 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department spent on encouraging 17 to 25-year-olds to put their names on the electoral register in(a) 1979, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  (a) No breakdown of advertising expenditure figures showing expenditure targeted at 17 to 25-year-olds is immediately available.

  (b) 1984–85—£12,226 was spent on a public information film.

  (c) 1989–90—£5,300 was spent on specific leaflets. This was in addition to a £452,000 advertisting campaign aimed at all adults aged 16 plus.

  (d) 1993–94—£4,000 was spent on specific posters. This was in addition to a £620,000 advertisting campaign aimed at all adults aged 16 plus.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's advertising in persuading young people between 17 and 25 years to go on to the electoral register.
  16
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Research undertaken following the 1993 television advertising campaign showed the following:

  (1) that awareness among 16 to 24-year-olds, of the need to do something to be registered, rose during the campaign period from 22 per cent. to 40 per cent.

  (2) that awareness among 16 to 24-year-olds, of the need to put their name on a form to register, rose during the campaign period from 33 per cent. to 49 per cent.

  (3) recognition of electoral registration advertising in 1993 by the 16 to 24 age group reached 50 per cent.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of people who were between 18 and 25 years at the 1987 general election(a) were registered to vote at that election and (b) actually voted at that election;

  (2) what proportion of those on the electoral register in each year from 1986 to 1993 were aged between 17 and 25 years;

  (3) how many people of those currently eligible to vote are aged between 18 and 25 years; and what proportion of this is of the total number eligible to vote;

  (4) what percentage of (a) those registered to vote in Britain and (b) those who voted in Britain during the 1992 general election were aged between 17 and 25 years;

  (5) what proportion of people who were between 18 and 25 years at the 1992 general election (a) were registered to vote at that election and (b) actually voted at that election;

  (6) what percentage of (a) those registered to vote in Britain and (b) those who voted in Britain during the 1987 general election were aged between 17 and 25 years;

  (7) what proportion of 17 to 25-year-olds are currently on the electoral register; and what proportion of British citizens as a whole are currently on the electoral register.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not available.

  Parole
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what means his Department ensures that offenders on parole in the care of the probation service, who are required to attend a forensic consultant psychiatrist as a condition of their parole, actually do so.

  Mr. Maclean
  The responsibility for ensuring that offenders on parole comply with their licence conditions rests with local probation services. The Home Office has recently reminded all probation services of the importance of giving prompt effect to licence conditions.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of probation keeps the performance of all services under review.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to provide disclosure of parole dossiers and reasons for parole decisions to those prisoners who were sentenced before the early release provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1992 came into force on 1 October 1992.

  Mr. Howard
  I propose to provide openness in the parole process to those prisoners sentenced before 1 October 1992 who have a parole eligibility date—PED—or its anniversay, of 1 October 1994 and beyond. Under the openness arrangements the parole timetable takes about 26 weeks from start to finish; prisoners should receive their parole dossiers about four months before their PED, be
  17
  interviewed about their parole case by a parole board member about three months before PED, and receive reasons for the parole decision about three weeks before PED. On this timetable, the review process will begin in early April for those prisoners who become parole eligible from 1 October.

  I shall continue to take decisions on the release on parole licence of such prisoners, after taking into account the recommendations of the parole board.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if he will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Howard
  In the current financial year the Home Office will be spending £311,800 on the provision of subsidised child care for staff at a variety of locations throughout England. This provides 104 nursery day care places for 128 children under five and 503 holiday play scheme places for children between five and 12-years-old. In all instances subsidised child care provision is made available only where it can be shown to be justified in value for money terms.

  Mr. Sammy Davis
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters sent to him by Mr. Steve Haywood, 57 Medusa road, Catford, SE6, dated 8 June 1993 and 7 February 1994, regarding the case of Mr. Sammy Davis.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  An official reply has now been sent to Mr. Haywood about the case of Mr. Sammy Davis. I have arranged for a copy of that letter to be forwarded to the hon. Member.

  Closed Circuit Television Systems
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether funding is available from his Department for local authorities to establish closed circuit television systems to reduce crime.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are no specific funds available for local authorities for this purpose. Funding for the capital costs of closed circuit television systems has been made available to some local authorities and others through the Home Office safer cities programme. It is also open to local police authorities to contribute towards the provision of CCTV systems from their capital allocation which is supported by 51 per cent. Home Office grant.

  New Prisons
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of building each of the last four new prisons in England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been passed to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 7 March 1994.
  18
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of building each of the last four prisons in England and Wales.

  The costs of these prisons are as follows:

  Prison

  Cost £ million

  Highdown

  91·2

  Lancaster Farms

  73·1

  Blakenhurst

  91·0

  Doncaster

  94·4

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made as to the implications of the United Kingdom Government failing to implement the chemical weapons convention prior to July 1994; and what these would be.

  Mr. Needham
  There are unlikely to be any significant implications for the United Kingdom if the Government do not implement the chemical weapons convention by July 1994 as the earliest that the convention can enter into force internationally is 13 January 1995.

  Rover Group
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 830, if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter to him from BMW; and to what extent the assurances therein have been affected by subsequent developments.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. Copies of the letter were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 31 January.

  Honda has stated that it intends to continue current and planned collaborative programmes with Rover subject to negotiations on the commercial terms.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 319, whether he expects the amount of research and development on Rover cars, other than Land Rover, to increase solely as a result of the takeover by BMW.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The amount of research and development expenditure on Rover cars will be a commercial matter for BMW.

  Competitiveness Unit
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people work in the DTI's competitiveness unit; and if he will list their grades and main responsibilities.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 9 February,Official Report, column 314.

  Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he plans to take to ensure that the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority(a) seeks competitive tenders from outside contractors to bid for its ICL mainframe operation based at Risley and (b) advertises this tender in the EC Official Journal.

  Mr. Eggar
  These matters are for the AEA.

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. Eggar
  The President is responsible for making the following appointments in addition to those identified in "Public Bodies 1993":

  Radiocommunications Agency Steering Board

  National Physical Laboratory Steering Board

  National Weights and Measurements Laboratory Steering Board

  National Engineering Laboratory Steering Board

  Laboratory of Government Chemist Steering Board

  Warren Spring Laboratory Steering Board

  Insolvency Service Agency Steering Board

  Companies House Steering Board

  Patent Office Agency Steering Board

  Accounts Services Agency Steering Board

  Insurance Brokers Registration Council

  Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment

  Director General of Fair Trading

  Director General of Telecommunications

  Director General of Electricity Supply

  Director General of Gas Supply

  Energy Advisory Panel

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Wena Hotels
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Egyptian authorities during the arbitration process involving Wena Hotels.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker raised the experience of Wena Hotels when she met the Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr. Atef Sidqi, and the Minister for the Public Business Sector, Dr. Atef Ebeid, in Cario on 13 November 1993. Our embassy in Cairo has kept in close contact with both Wena Hotels and the Egyptian authorities on this issue.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will reconsider United Kingdom aid to Egypt following the experiences of Wena Hotels' investment in Egypt.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no such plans.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take to protect and promote the interests of United Kingdom companies which invest in Egypt following the experiences of Wena Hotels.
  20
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are concerned at Wena Hotels' experience and will continue to do what we can to help it and other British investors, the overwhelming majority of whom experience no difficulty in their dealings in Egypt.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Egyptian authorities in respect of the United Kingdom company Wena Hotels' investment in Egypt prior to the arbitration process involving that company.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We raised the question of Wena Hotels with the Egyptian authorities on a number of occasions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs did so with the Egyptian Foreign Minister during President Mubarak's visit to London in the spring of 1993, urging the Egyptian authorities to encourage the Egyptian party to the dispute to go to arbitration as soon as possible.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge a total ban on the production, sale and use of anti-personnel mines at the review conference on the inhumane weapons convention; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom intends to play a full part in the review conference on the 1981 United Nations weaponry convention, which we expect to take place in 1995. We are also participating in the meetings to prepare for the conference, the first of which took place in Geneva from 28 February to 4 March.

  The main aim of the review conference will be to consider the strengthening of protocol II of the weaponry convention, which already contains strict rules governing the use of mines. Our priority at the conference will be to encourage greater adherence to the United Nations weaponry convention.

  East Timor
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries Her Majesty's Government made of the Indonesian authorities in regard to the murder of British citizens Brian Peters and Malcolm Rennie, near Balibo on East Timor, on 16 October 1975, during the invasion of East Timor by Indonesian military forces.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We pressed the Indonesians for information at the time, as did the Australian Government, as Mr. Peters and Mr. Rennie were working in East Timor as part of an Australian television team.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how overseas domestic workers are given the leaflet on their rights in the United Kingdom; if he will ensure this is done without the presence of the employer and that the domestic worker is given time to read the leaflet before rejoining the employer; and whether these leaflets are available in all appropriate languages.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Overseas domestic workers are handed a copy of the information leaflet when interviewed at post for entry clearance, without their employers present.
  21
  Leaflets are available in Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Punjab, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai and Urdu, as well as English. Where an applicant does not understand, the contents of the leaflet are explained.

  Turkey
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government relations with Turkey.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Our relationship with Turkey is good, reflecting our close ties in NATO and Turkey's long-standing association with the European Union.

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

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The human rights situation in Turkey is worrying. The Turkish Government are aware of our concerns. We recognise the difficulties faced by the Turkish authoritites in tackling the PKK terrorist threat in the south-east, but this has to be done within the rule of law and with full respect for human rights.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations to the Government of Turkey regarding the treatment of Kurds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last raised human rights with the Turkish Government during his visit to Ankara on 19 and 20 January.

  Iraq
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the United Nations concerning its sanctions of medical supplies and food to Iraq.

  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.

  Medicines have never been subject to sanctions, and food has been exempt since the passage of United Nations Security Council resolution 687 in April 1991.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from hon. Members concerning sanctions on Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have received a number of letters from hon. Members about sanctions against Iraq. On 22 February the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) tabled an early-day motion about the effect of sanctions on the humanitarian situation in Iraq.

  We do not believe that sanctions should be lifted until Iraq complies with all its international obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for the views of Her Majesty's Government regarding Iraqi treatment of the Kurds to be conveyed to the Government of Iraq.
  22
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Kingdom representatives at the United Nations continue to press Iraq to respect the human rights of its population. We are co-sponsors of a resolution at the current session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which condemns Iraq's continued abuses of the human rights of all citizens, including the Kurds.

  We, the United States, France and Russia made a demarche to Iraq on 5 January protesting against Iraqi behaviour including the blockade of the Kurdish area and the cutting off of electricity to Dohuk. The Security Council also took into account Iraq's repression of the civilian population when deciding on 18 January that there were no grounds to lift United Nations sanctions.

  Libya
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Nations sanctions on Libya.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions against Libya through its resolutions 748 and 883. The Council has expressed its readiness to review these measures with a view to suspending them immediately if the Secretary-General reports to the Council that the Libyan Government have ensured the appearance of those charged with the bombing of Pan Am 103 for trial before the appropriate United Kingdom or United States court and have satisfied the French judicial authorities with respect to the bombing of UTA 772.

  Albania
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has studied the conclusions of the permanent monitors of the European Community regarding border incidents between Serbia/ Montenegro and Albania; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: The EC monitoring mission in Albania provides factual reports on incidents on the Serbia/Albania border. We study its reports closely. We believe that the ECMM presence is a valuable confidence-building measure, and we regret that the Serb authorities have refused to allow the EC monitoring mission to undertake independent investigation of particular incidents.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) Albanians and (b) Serbs have been killed or wounded near the border of Serbia/Montenegro and Albania since 1 January; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: According to information provided by the Albanian authorities, two Albanian nationals have been killed near the Albanian border with Serbia/Montenegro. One Albanian national has been wounded. We have no information on the number of Serbs killed or wounded near the border.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken or proposes to take regarding aggression by Serbian forces against Albania.
  23
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: We understand that a number of border incidents have resulted in Albanian casualties. We condemn any such incidents, which put at risk the stability of the entire region, and call on the leaders of all countries in the region to show restraint.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken or proposes to take regarding violations of human rights by the Serbian authorities in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: We condemn reported Serbian violation of human rights in Kosovo and continue to press for the return of the CSCE monitors expelled from Kosovo in 1993. Members of the British embassy in Belgrade visit the region regularly, and maintain contact with the political parties based there. I met Dr. Rugova in London in December.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received the report of the United States State Department on human rights in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: Yes, we have received the State Department report on human rights in Serbia/Montenegro, which includes Kosovo.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the expulsion of the conference on security and co-operation in Europe monitors from Kosovo.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994: In July 1993 the Belgrade authorities refused to allow the CSCE missions in Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvodina to continue their activities and the missions had to withdraw. The United Kingdom had contributed two monitors.

  The CSCE continues to press for the return of the missions. Their presence was a stabilising influence and contributed to the prevention of conflict. The CSCE is monitoring developments in the region with the help of diplomats from CSCE embassies in Belgrade.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people of Albanian descent who have fled from Kosovo over the past two years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: We understand that numbers of people, of both Serbian and Albanian descent, have left Kosovo in the last two years, but do not have reliable figures.

  Departmental Records
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress with the computerisation of his Department's financial record keeping, drawing attention to any difficulties and stating the arrangements for ensuring continuity of supply of the computer equipment and consumables.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Following a study of the requirements of a new financial management accounting system—24
  FMAS—a notice of tender was published in the official journal of the European Union in November 1993. Responses from interested parties are currently being evaluated and it is expected that a contract for development of the new system will be let later this year. The FMAS project is being managed in accordance with standard Government methodologies. Contracts exist with outside contractors for the maintenance of existing systems and the supply of consumables. Similar contracts will be put in place for the new system.

  Suspense Accounts
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the suspense accounts referred to in the 36th report of the Committee of Public Accounts 1990–91, HC275, remain unreconciled or have been reconciled in a way that has not wholly satisfied the auditor.

  Mr. Goodlad
  All the suspense accounts referred to have now been reconciled. The Comptroller and Auditor General did not make any qualifications on the FCO accounts for 1991–92 or 1992–93.

  Accounting Officers
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters have been reported to his Department's accounting officer by finance staff following the issue of written instructions in March 1991 referred to in paragraph 9 of the Treasury minute on the 36th report from the Committee of Public Accounts 1990–91, Cm. 1725.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The March 1991 instructions remain in force. The performance of the accounting systems has been carefully monitored. No reports to the accounting officer have been necessary.

PRIME MINISTER

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the main differences between the agreement between the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) and Mr. Gerry Adams and the Downing street declaration; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Downing street declaration was the result of work between the two Governments, which began when I first met Mr. Reynolds shortly after he became Taoiseach in February 1992.

  I have seen no document purporting to be an agreement between the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) and Mr. Adams, save for their published statements.

  Quangos
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold all paid members of Government quangos liable to surcharge in the same way as elected councillors.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have no powers to surcharge paid members of non-departmental public bodies in the same way as elected councillors and have no plans to seek such powers. Public bodies are already able to apply disciplinary sanctions, including seeking prosecutions where appropriate.

  Ministers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 770, if he will list the five Cabinet. Ministers who have served in the armed forces.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the President of the Board of Trade, the Lord Privy Seal and the Secretary of State for National Heritage, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have all done national service.

  Jewellery
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 28 February to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice)Official Report, column 579, if he will list the items of jewellery on the official inventory of No. 10 Downing street.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 3 March, Official Report, column 804.

EDUCATION

  LEA Schools
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) primary and (b) secondary local authority-controlled schools in Birmingham he has visited in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Patten
  I have not visited any schools in Birmingham in the last 12 months. Since becoming Secretary of State I have visited two Birmingham schools: Cockshut Hill secondary school and Small Heath grant-maintained school.

  School Buses
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice he issues to the governing bodies of grant-maintained schools in relation to the safety and roadworthiness of public service vehicles that are contracted to convey children to and from school.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In 1991 the Department arranged for all schools to receive the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents code of practice on school transport safety. On 21 January 1994, the Department issued guidance on school transport—including safety—to local education authorities, which are responsible for the home-to-school transport of pupils at self-governing schools.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools operate driver safety programmes for their staff minibus drivers.

  Mr. Forth
  Neither this Department nor the Department of Transport have statistics available—information is not collected centrally.

  Further Education
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what guidance he provides to the Further Education Funding Council on the measures to be taken 26
  following the refusal of any lecturer employed by an incorporated further education college to sign a new contract;

  (2) what statutory powers exist for the Further Education Funding Council to penalise lecturers in incorporated colleges of further education who refuse to sign new contracts;

  (3) what statutory powers exist for the Further Education Funding Council to require lecturers employed in incorporated colleges of further education to sign new contracts and render existing contracts invalid.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Further Education Funding Council is taking no such action. Neither my right hon. Friend nor the FEFC has any statutory powers, either to require lecturers to sign new contracts, or to penalise those who do not. The conditions for the release of grant withheld from the FEFC relate only to contracts of employment for new staff. It is for individual colleges to deal with their staff about contracts of employment.

  Birmingham Education Officers
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many meetings he has held with(a) Birmingham city council education officers and (b) Birmingham city councillors from the controlling group in (i) the last 12 months and (ii) since he came to office.

  Mr. Patten
  None.

  School Transport
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list(a) those local education authorities providing free transport to school and (b) those charging for all journeys of over three miles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  All local education authorites have a statutory duty to provide or arrange free of charge the transport which they consider necessary for a pupil's school attendance. But since LEAs have discretion to consider each case on its merits, information is not collected centrally.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to include in the code of practice on special educational needs guidelines on evidence which local education authorities will need to have available in order to make a decision as to whether or not to make a statement, with particular reference to evidence that relevant and purposeful measures have been taken to meet the child's special educational needs in his or her present school and that these have proved to be insufficient.

  Mr. Forth
  Parts III and IV of the draft code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs contain extensive guidance to local education authorities on the evidence they should consider when deciding whether to make assessments and statements, including evidence about the special educational provision made by the child's mainstream school. My right hon. Friend will consider all representations received during the consultation process on the draft code and lay a revised code before Parliament.
  27
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what plans he has to establish guidelines in the code of practice on special education needs defining the level of resources which should be normally available, or to designate this more clearly as a responsibility of the local education authorities;

  (2) what is his policy on the balance local education authorities should endeavour to achieve between resources allocated to schools to help cater for pupils with special educational needs and resources held centrally in order to provide resources for pupils with statements;

  (3) what guidance is given in the draft code of practice on special educational needs, about the proportion of their budgets local education authorities should allocate towards special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  It is and will remain for local education authorities, in the light of local policies and circumstances, to decide what level of resources will normally be available to schools in their area; the proportion of their general schools budgets to be allocated to special educational needs; and the balance between resources delegated to schools and those held centrally for pupils with special educational needs. The Department has recently issued guidance on the local management of schools in circular 2/94. My right hon. Friend will consider all comments

  Grant maintained schools1 applications for change of age range

  School

  Local education authority

  Proposal date

  Decision

  Decision date

  Capital funding requested £

  To add or extend sixth form

  Highams Park School

  Waltham Forest

  14 January 1991

  Rejected

  11 May 1992

  500,000

  Chalvedon School

  Essex

  5 June 1991

  Approved

  27 August 1991

  Nil

  The Cornwallis School

  Kent

  15 November 1991

  Approved

  5 March 1992

  Nil

  Baverstock GM School

  Birmingham

  3 February 1992

  Approved

  15 June 1992

  Nil

  Moseley Park GM School

  Wolverhampton

  30 March 1992

  Approved

  17 August 1992

  Nil

  The Maplesden Noakes School

  Kent

  3 April 1992

  Approved

  16 July 1992

  Nil

  West Hatch School

  Essex

  30 April 1992

  Approved

  30 July 1992

  Nil

  Beauchamps GM School

  Essex

  4 June 1992

  Approved

  17 August 1992

  Nil

  Bromfords School

  Essex

  4 June 1992

  Approved

  17 August 1992

  Nil

  Aylesford School

  Kent

  10 July 1992

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Nil

  Thamesview School

  Kent

  15 July 1992

  To be republished

  —

  Nil

  Senacre Technology School

  Kent

  24 July 1992

  To be republished

  —

  Nil

  Higham Park School

  Waltham Forest

  31 July 1992

  Approved

  2 February 1993

  519,236

  Wrotham School

  Kent

  6 August 1992

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Nil

  Senacre Technology School

  Kent

  4 September 1992

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Nil

  Thamesview School

  Kent

  16 September 1992

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Nil

  Oldborough Manor Community

  Kent

  18 September 1992

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Nil

  Ringwood School

  Hampshire

  2 October 1992

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  300,000

  Small Heath School

  Birmingham

  19 October 1992

  Approved

  5 May 1993

  Nil

  The Queen's School

  Cambridgeshire

  23 October 1992

  Rejected

  1 July 1993

  410

  Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone

  Warwickshire

  5 November 1992

  Approved

  3 March 1993

  Nil

  The Arnewood School

  Hampshire

  7 November 1992

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  550,150

  The Philip Morant School

  Essex

  11 December 1992

  Rejected

  28 July 1993

  Nil

  St. Augustines Comprehensive School

  Wiltshire

  15 January 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  The Burgate School

  Hampshire

  21 January 1993

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  520,000

  Sawtry Village College

  Cambridgeshire

  3 February 1993

  To be republished

  11 February 1993

  Nil

  Sawtry Village College

  Cambridgeshire

  18 February 1993

  Approved

  4 June 1993

  Nil

  Heathside Secondary School

  Surrey

  8 April 1993

  Rejected

  24 August 1993

  Nil

  Meopham GM School

  Kent

  15 April 1993

  Rejected

  10 August 1993

  Nil

  The Merrill Community School

  Derbyshire

  20 April 1993

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  Nil

  Chellaston School

  Derbyshire

  24 April 1993

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  1,055,000

  The Frances Bardsley School

  Havering

  8 June 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  The King John School

  Essex

  12 July 1993

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  491,951

  The Thorpe Bay High School

  Essex

  12 July 1993

  Rejected

  23 February 1994

  Nil

  William Farr CE School

  Lincolnshire

  19 July 1993

  Approved

  2 March 1994

  Nil

  Sheringham High School

  Norfolk

  30 July 1993

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  Nil

  The New Wellington High School

  Trafford

  30 July 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Costessey High School

  Norfolk

  16 August 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Noel Baker Community School

  Derbyshire

  4 November 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Gleed Girls GM School

  Lincolnshire

  26 November 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  28
  received during the consultation process on the draft code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. He will lay a revised code before Parliament in due course.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to set up a national representative group to monitor the implementation of the proposed code of practice on special educational needs.

  Mr. Forth
  None. The Department will, with Office of Standards in Education and others, monitor closely the implementation of all aspects of part III of the 1993 Act, including the code of practice.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he wil list all applications for capital grants from grant-maintained schools that he received which relate to the need to improve or extend accommodation as a result of a change in the ages between which children attend the school.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The statutory proposals published under section 89 of the Education Reform Act 1988 relating to changes to age range at grant-maintained schools are as follows:
  29

  School

  Local education authority

  Proposal date

  Decision

  Decision date

  Capital funding requested £

  Greenwood Dale GM School

  Nottinghamshire

  16 December 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Highcliffe School

  Dorset

  15 January 1994

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Riddlesdown GM High School

  Croydon

  28 January 1994

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Castle Hill GM School

  Lincolnshire

  28 January 1994

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  To add or extend nursery provision

  The Manor County First School

  Surrey

  26 November 1992

  Rejected

  29 July 1993

  Nil

  Hawkedale First School

  Surrey

  17 December 1992

  Rejected

  18 June 1993

  4,000

  Wold Newton GM Primary School

  Humberside

  28 January 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Katherines Primary School

  Essex

  29 April 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Alder Coppice GM Primary School

  Dudley

  10 November 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Robinswood Primary School

  Gloucester

  19 November 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Bourne Abbey Primary School

  Lincolnshire

  9 December 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  83,000

  Send CE GM School

  Surrey

  16 December 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  35–142,000

  Other change of age range

  Castle Hall School

  Kirklees

  8 November 1991

  Rejected

  21 May 1992

  Nil

  St. John the Baptist

  Surrey

  21 November 1991

  Approved

  4 November 1992

  2,404,000

  Hardley School

  Hampshire

  2 January 1992

  Approved

  19 October 1992

  Nil

  Wood End Middle School

  Ealing

  8 January 1992

  Approved

  3 November 1992

  Nil

  Guildford County School

  Surrey

  14 February 1992

  Approved1

  18 June 1992

  850,000

  Drayton Manor High School

  Ealing

  8 May 1992

  Approved1

  11 September 1992

  70,000

  Northolt High School

  Ealing

  8 May 1992

  Approved

  11 September 1992

  Nil

  Greenford High School

  Ealing

  15 May 1992

  Approved1

  11 September 1992

  500,000

  Brentside High School

  Ealing

  15 May 1992

  Approved1

  11 September 1992

  2,770,000

  De Stafford School

  Surrey

  23 June 1992

  Approved1

  5 May 1993

  Nil

  Heathside Secondary School

  Surrey

  16 July 1992

  Approved

  2 November 1992

  Nil

  Oakwood Park Grammar School

  Kent

  17 July 1992

  Approved

  2 March 1993

  Nil

  City of Portsmouth Boys

  Hampshire

  17 July 1992

  Approved1

  2 March 1993

  Nil

  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

  Cumbria

  5 September 1992

  Approved

  29 March 1993

  Nil

  Castle Hall GM School

  Kirklees

  2 October 1992

  Approved

  1 April 1993

  284,400

  Ash Green

  Warwickshire

  12 October 1992

  Rejected

  22 April 1993

  Nil

  Glyn School

  Surrey

  15 October 1992

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  335,000

  Rosebery School

  Surrey

  21 October 1992

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  1,184,632

  Send CE First School

  Surrey

  23 October 1992

  Approved1

  5 May 1993

  Nil

  The Beacon School

  Surrey

  29 October 1992

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  72,400

  Collingwood GM School

  Surrey

  15 December 1992

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  729,000

  Epsom and Ewell High School

  Surrey

  17 December 1992

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  Nil

  Avon Valley

  Warwickshire

  18 January 1993

  Approved1

  25 January 1994

  Nil

  Wood End First School

  Ealing

  5 February 1993

  Approved

  13 July 1993

  Nil

  Testwood School

  Hampshire

  5 February 1993

  Approved

  24 February 1994

  977,000

  Clifford First

  Sheffield

  17 February 1993

  Rejected

  23 July 1993

  260,000

  Front Lawn Middle School

  Hampshire

  26 July 1993

  Approved

  8 October 1993

  Nil

  Purbrook Park School

  Hampshire

  14 October 1993

  Approved

  11 February 1994

  455,000

  Calmore Middle School

  Hampshire

  15 October 1993

  Approved

  24 February 1994

  Nil

  Queen Elizabeth GM School

  Warwickshire

  22 October 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  25,000

  Abbotswood Middle School

  Hampshire

  16 November 1993

  Approved

  24 February 1994

  758,000

  Park Mead First School

  Surrey

  19 November 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Yattendon Middle School

  Surrey

  1 December 1993

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  Lyndhurst Middle Primary School

  Hampshire

  7 February 1994

  Under consideration

  —

  Nil

  1 Approved with modification.

  Note:

  Table shows all applications for a change of age range. Where applications requested grant to improve or extend accommodation, a grant figure is listed.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total sum of money made available for meeting applications for capital grants from grant-maintained schools during 1992–93 and 1993–94; and how much was awarded in grants during each year.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A total of £28·5 million of grant was available to grant-maintained schools in 1992–93 for expenditure on capital work. For 1993–94 the total grant available is £87·6 million.

  The amount of grant paid to schools in 1992–93 was £25·8 million. The final outturn figure for 1993–94 is not yet available.
  30
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what criteria he uses for deciding which applications for capital grants from grant-maintained schools to approve.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Self-governing schools are eligible for two main kinds of capital grant: a formula allocation grant for all schools for small-scale capital works, which schools may use according to their own priorities; and named project grant, for which schools may bid.

  For 1994–95 financial year the priorities set for the assessment of named projects are:

  1. Commitments arising from projects already approved and started but unlikely to be finished before April 1994;

  2. Major repairs and other work required on priority health and safety grounds;

  31

  3. Bids for projects involving work required to implement the national curriculum;

  4. New projects to provide additional school places in areas of population growth—basic need—and;

  5. Work involving access for the disabled.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list all applications for capital grants from grant-maintained schools made during(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94, indicating the name of the school, the purposes and amount of the application, the amount granted and the purpose of the grant.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Applications for capital grant in annual bidding exercises are made in advance of the financial year concerned. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the copies of papers I have previously placed in the Library detailing all applications made during 1992–93 for funding in 1993–94, and all those made during 1993–94 for funding in 1994–95. The papers similarly detail the resulting allocations.

  Bids from schools entering the sector between September 1993 and January 1994 are still under consideration.

  In addition, all schools are eligible for a formula allocation capital grant.

  Children
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make an estimate of the costs involved in raising the primary school starting age to the beginning of the academic year in which they are age six for all children and the introduction of a minimum of two years full-time nursery education for all children.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The estimated net additional cost of providing full-time education in nursery classes to all the pupils in the age group identified by the hon. Member would be £1·7 billion in current prices. In addition there would be costs associated with capital, transport, and the training of additional teaching and support staff.

  Driving Lessons
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his policy as to children being taught to drive motor cars as part of their school education; how many children in each of the last three years have been taught to drive; and what has been the cost to public funds.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Driving lessons are not part of the national curriculum. I am not aware of any recent representations for such provision to be made by schools nor of any schools which do so.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if he will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  London-based staff are able to use the Westminster holiday play scheme, which is organised by the Office of Public Service and Science. The cost of places is shared equally by parents and the Department. In the year ending 31 March 1993 six members of staff used the scheme for their children on one or more occasions, at a cost to the Department of £821.
  32
  Darlington-based staff have access to a play scheme which was set up at the instigation of the Department for Education. Places are shared with other civil servants working in the Darlington area. In the current financial year the accommodation cost to this Department will be £2,705, and 73 children of DFE staff will use the scheme.

  The Department contributes towards child care facilities as part of its policy of promoting equal opportunities for staff with domestic commitments.

  Equal Opportunities (Training)
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which local education authorities have bid for grants for education support and training funding for training in equal opportunities; whether those local education authorities are to receive that funding; and what the total grants for education support and training expenditure will be for 1994–95.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  There is no provision in the 1994–95 grants for education support and training—GEST—programme for schemes to fund equal opportunities. The Department will be supporting LEA expenditure of some £270·6 million in 1994–95 for a range of educational priorities through the GEST programme.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what weekly amount of money and what percentage of their gross earnings a single earner couple with two children on average earnings in(a) Yorkshire and Humberside, (b) north Yorkshire, (c) west Yorkshire, (d) south Yorkshire and (e) Humberside paid in (i) income tax less child benefit, (ii) national insurance contributions and (iii) VAT in 1978–79; and what amount and percentage of their gross earnings each of those average families will have paid in 1994–95.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The available information for 1978–79 and 1993–94 is shown in the table. Tax payments in 1994–95 will depend on earnings growth in each region.

  Yorkshire and Humberside—income tax and national insurance contributions as a percentage of earnings

  1978–79

  1993–94

  Income tax less child benefit

  12·6

  10·7

  National insurance contributions

  6·5

  7·8

  Notes to table

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners are assumed to pay class 1 NI contributions at the contracted-in rate.

  2. Child benefit is treated as a negative income tax.

  3. Average earnings are taken to be the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males at adult rates with pay unaffected by absence in April of each year.

  Bank Charging Arrangements
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings he and his ministerial colleagues have had with the chairmen or representatives of the clearing banks regarding their charging arrangements for small business and personal customers since 1 January 1993.
  33
  Mr. Nelson
  My ministerial colleagues and I meet the chairmen and representatives of the clearing banks from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues. Most recently, my officials and I have held a series of meetings with the banks to discuss the industrial finance initiative.

  Civil Service Pay Delegation
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on civil service pay delegation.

  Mr. Dorrell
  As set out in the "Citizen's charter: First Report of November 1992", the delegation of pay and grading matters is an important element in the Government's drive to improve quality and efficiency in the provision of public services. By allowing the introduction of pay and grading systems tailored to the objectives and requirements of individual organisations, delegation enhances the ability of managers to manage and develops the Government's policy of linking pay and performance.

  By 1 April the 23 home civil service organisations listed in the table below will have taken on responsibility for negotiating the pay and conditions of their own staff. The staff affected—who account for around 55 per cent. of the home civil service—carry out a wide variety of work in locations across the United Kingdom, reflecting the diversity of the organisations concerned. In addition, departments and agencies employing some 40,000 industrial civil servants have decided to take delegated responsibility for pay and grading arrangements. This means that in total over 60 per cent. of the home civil service will be under delegated arrangements by July 1994.

  It is clear that there is scope to improve further the delivery of public services by extending the pay delegation initiative. I have therefore invited all remaining executive agencies employing over 500 staff, together with the larger agency candidates, to put forward proposals for taking on pay delegation by 1 April 1995, where this is appropriate to their business needs.

  Staff in post1

  Agricultural Development and Advisory Service

  2,320

  HM Customs and Excise

  25,170

  Defence Research Agency

  9,510

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  4,160

  Driving Standards Agency

  1,780

  Employment Service

  44,250

  Fire Service College

  280

  Forensic Science Service

  630

  Health and Safety Executive

  4,480

  HM Prison Service

  38,100

  Her Majesty's Stationery Office

  2,950

  Inland Revenue

  59,780

  HM Land Registry

  8,970

  Meteorological Office

  2,480

  Ordnance Survey

  2,220

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  70

  Royal Mint

  960

  Scottish Prison Service

  4,610

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  64,880

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  9,790

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  4,220

  Valuation Office Agency

  4,930

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  1,660

  298,200

  55 per cent. of Total in home civil service

  546,340

  Source: HM Treasury Quarterly Staff in Post Summary.

  1As at 1 October 1993. Figures give Full Time Equivalents, with
  34
  part-timers working for more than 10 hours counted as half-units. Casuals are excluded from the staffing count. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10—this includes totals, rounded after calculation.

WALES

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many days per week Sir Geoffrey Inkin is contractually bound to give to each of the three non-departmental public bodies which he chairs or of which he is a member.

  Mr. Redwood
  The average time commitments of the public appointments held by Sir Geoffrey Inkin OBE are as follows.

  Cardiff Bay development corporation—2½ days per week.

  Land Authority for Wales —2½ days per week

  He is not on three bodies.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 24 February,Official Report, column 415, what action he will take following his reading of the report on inward investment and industrial innovation in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  The report shows that encouraging developments are under way in Wales. Programmes such as Source Wales, and a range of training and innovation support measures, are already in place to address those areas where the report considers that further progress is required. These programmes are kept under constant review. For example, my recent consultation paper, "People and Prosperity—A Challenge to Wales" has elicited an excellent response and I will be publishing a strategy framework for training, education and enterprise in due course.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations expressing opposition to the original scheme for the reorganisation of the milk marketing board he received from within Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  Six of the 62 representations I received about the Milk Marketing Board's original scheme of reorganisation expressed opposition to all or part of the proposals.

  Research Reports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he published the 20th research report Wales, for 1992–93; how many copies were printed; at what cost; and to whom they have been distributed.

  Mr. Redwood
  "Research Wales, 20th report", which sets out research supported by the Welsh Office in 1992–93, was published on 1 February 1994; 220 copies were printed at a cost of £230. As well as being made available on request, copies have been sent to national libraries, higher education institutions, the Welsh Affairs Committee, the Libraries of the House and various media organisations.

  Languages
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to increase the use of British languages that belong to the Brythonic and Goidelic families of languages.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  There are five indigenous Celtic languages: Welsh and Cornish (which falls into the Brythonic group) and Irish, Scots Gaelic and Manx (which fall into the Goidelic group). Of these, only three are commonly used today. These are Welsh, Irish and Scots Gaelic.

  The Government have a long-standing commitment to helping to secure the future of the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Act 1993 is the latest manifestation of this commitment. The Act establishes the principle that in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice in Wales, Welsh and English should be treated on a basis of equality so far as is both appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably practicable. The Act also establishes the Welsh Language Board with the objective of promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh. It is the Government's belief that, as a result of the Welsh Language Act and the work of the Welsh Language Board, a substantial increase in the public services available to the public through the medium of Welsh will be achieved. The goal is to give effect to the Government's long-term aid of allowing people who wish to do so the choice of using Welsh in all aspects of their daily lives.

  The Government support the Welsh language in other ways. We are acutely aware of the importance of education and, since 1988, Welsh has been an integral part of the schools curriculum in Wales. It is a core subject in Welsh medium schools and compulsory in all other maintained schools in Wales. Nursery education is particularly important and I was pleased recently to be able to announce a substantial increase in our contribution to Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, the Welsh nursery schools movement, for the coming financial year; £537,000 has been allocated —a 15 per cent. increase on 1993–94—to help Mudiad develop in the less Welsh-speaking areas of Gwent and Deeside.

  At the same time I was also able to announce further grants to other voluntary organisations playing a significant part in ensuring that the language flourishes: the National Eisteddford, the Welsh Books Council and Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the Welsh youth movement.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland supports the Gaelic language and culture by providing grants (a) to education authorities to provide Gaelic-medium education; (b) for the making of television programmes in Gaelic; and (c) to cultural organisations committed to maintaining and developing the use of the language. It is hoped that these measures will lead to an increase in the use of Gaelic in Scotland.

  The Government recognise that the Irish language is an important part of the cultural heritage of many people in Northern Ireland. The Government manifest respect for the special importance of the language of those people, encourage interest in it and appreciation of it for its own sake rather than any political connotations, and seek to highlight the contribution that the language has made to the cultural heritage of the whole community.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had in relation to the compliance by Cardiff Bay development corporation with the undertaking specified in the code of practice, paragraph 2.3, on the operation of schedule 7 to the Cardiff Bay Barrage Act 1993 that owners and occupiers would be informed individually 28 days before the commencement of construction and 28 days before impoundment.

  Mr. Redwood
  The hon. Member wrote to me on 4 February about certain aspects of the notification procedure and I replied on 27 February. Lord Brabazon of Tara, who chaired the Select Committee in another place, has also written to me following representations from local residents groups. His letter is being considered and I shall be replying in due course. My officials have also discussed related issues with representatives of the local residents groups.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Balfour Beatty construction consortium in relation to the provisional awarding of the contract to construct the Cardiff Bay barrage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if he will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1993–94 my Department spent £16,703 in support of child care for its staff; £12,246 of this provided 30 full-time nursery places currently being used by 37 children, some part-time and £4,457 supported play schemes for approximately 45 children during the Easter and summer holidays. My Department is committed to providing child care where it is cost-effective in assisting the retention of trained and experienced staff. The cost of support is evaluated annually.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit
  Mrs. Clywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give a ranking by county of the percentage of women who are claiming child benefit;

  (2) if he will provide a ranking by region of the percentage of women who are claiming child benefit.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available. Child benefit take-up is estimated to be nearly 100 per cent. The percentage of child benefit recipients who are women is estimated to be 95 per cent.

  Benefits (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people living abroad have been receiving benefits under regulation 2 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975.

  Mr. Scott
  The number is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Sickness
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has as to the reasons for changes in the number of claims for sickness and invalidity benefits and in periods of sick leave since 1985.

  Mr. Scott
  This Department has undertaken an extensive programme of research into the factors underlying the growth in caseloads of invalidity benefit. This consisted of five reports which were published last autumn. Copies have been placed in the Library. We have also commissioned research on employers' responses to the 1991 changes in statutory sick pay. The report, which will include an analysis of factors affecting sickness rates and control of sickness absence, will be published shortly.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been sent assessment forms so far this year by the Child Support Agency; what will the total number of assessment forms by the Child Support Agency in 1993–94; and how many assessment forms will be issued by the Child Support Agency in the following years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Mike Hall, dated 4 March 1994:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the number of maintenance assessment forms sent by the Child Support Agency.
  In the period 5 April to 31 December 1993 the Agency issued 711,000 maintenance application forms to parents with care.
  It is not possible to give estimates of the expected number of application forms which will be issued in future years, but overall the Agency expects to be dealing with around one million parents with care in each year.
  I hope this reply is useful.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average maintenance settlement issued by the Child Support Agency; what is the average maintenance payment collected by the Child Support Agency; and how many of those contacted by the Child Support Agency already paid maintenance under existing arrangements.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Mike Hall, dated 4 March 1994:
  I am replying to you recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  You asked about the average maintenance assessment made and collected by the Agency. Initial estimates were that average weekly maintenance assessments by the Agency would be approximately £45–£50 a week. Information gathered on assessments completed to date, and the amounts the Agency therefore expects to collect, is consistent with these estimates.
  You also ask about clients with existing maintenance arrangements. To the end of December 1993, the Agency had issued maintenance enquiry forms to 344,000 absent parents.
  38
  Figures were not kept on the proportion of these cases in which maintenance was not already being paid. We estimate, however, that about 55 per cent. of cases taken-on by the Agency were not already receiving maintenance.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have started to pay maintenance in line with the Child Support Agency assessments.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Mike Hall, dated 4 March 1994:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of people paying maintenance to the Child Support Agency.
  The Child Support Computer System records clients' details on an individual case by case basis. It is not currently configured to produce the information in the form requested.
  It may be helpful, however, if I explain that as at 31 December 1993 the Agency had completed 121,600 assessments of which over half were issued in the last two months.
  I hope this reply is useful.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of housing benefit was payable to households in(a) council tenancies, (b) housing association tenancies and (c) private tenancies, annually, for each year from 1988.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn), on 25 January at columns 185–86.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if he will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Scott
  The net cost of providing subsidised child care facilities for staff in this Department is currently around £500,000 a year. This sum is spent on workplace nurseries, 600 places; holiday play schemes, 2,460 places; after school child care and child care referral services.

  These initiatives are supported on value for money grounds in helping to recruit and retain staff and in enabling the staff themselves to balance the demands of home and work.

ENVIRONMENT

  Government Offices
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 21 January,Official Report, column 863, if he will list any Government accommodation in (a) the SW1 postal district of London and (b) the remainder of the United Kingdom that is undergoing refurbishment, showing the location of the accommodation being refurbished and the nature and cost of each refurbishment.

  Mr. Baldry
  Vacant or partially vacant properties on the common user estate with refurbishment schemes in
  39
  planning or execution are listed. Refurbishment ranges from minor internal uplift to full-scale replacement of services, modernisation, refitting and improvement to render buildings capable of re-occupation and economic use.

  Some schemes are undertaken and funded by occupying Departments or landlords and the cost of providing fully comprehensive information and the costs of each scheme would be uneconomic.

  Properties Undergoing Refurbishment

  London SW1

  FCO Building,

  King Charles Street

  Marlborough House

  11 Belgrave Road

  Depot, Chadwick Street

  1–19 Victoria Street

  Thames House, Millbank

  Other Locations

  Charles House, London W14

  Collyer Place, London SE15

  Melbourne House, London WC2

  Euston Tower, London NW1

  Somerset House, London WC2

  122 Thorpe Road, Norwich

  Oxford House, Bishops Stortford

  Nelson House, Great Yarmouth

  Magna House, Bury St. Edmunds

  Port Police Station, Felixstowe

  31 Red Lion Street, Chesham

  Sovereign House, Hertford

  St. Andrews House and Triton House, Bury St. Edmunds

  Charles House, Norwich

  55 Station Road, Clacton

  Portcullis House and Alexander House, Southend

  Scotland Green House, Tottenham

  Harlesden House, Harlesden

  SOB London Road, Stanmore

  Beeches Road, Chelmsford

  DTC Tolcarne Drive, Pinner

  Haven House, Ipswich

  36–46 The Avenue, Bexleyheath

  Westmoreland Road, Bromley

  Scottish Union House, Croydon

  Apollo House, Croydon

  Lunar House, Croydon

  Whitgift Centre, Croydon

  AMP House, Croydon

  Montague House, Croydon

  PRO, Kew

  Sutherland House, Sutton

  Crown Building, Woolwich

  Anchorage House, Chatham

  The Grove, Gravesend

  Medvale House, Maidstone

  Gloucester House, Bognor Regis

  Roebuck House, Cosham

  Wingfield House, Portsmouth

  Wynnstay House, Portsmouth

  Segensworth Road, Titchfield

  Alencon Link, Basingstoke

  Coley Park, Reading

  Ashdown House, Hastings

  Government Buildings, Marston Road, Oxford

  Lambert House, Talbot Street, Nottingham

  Crown Building 55 Norfolk Street, Boston

  Station Road, Kettering

  Crown Buildings, 1 Queen Street, Wellingborough

  Ladywood House, 45–46 Stephenson Street, Birmingham

  Princess House, The Square, Shrewsbury

  North Penrallt, Caernarfon

  Bridge House, Bristol

  Mesnes House, Mesnes Street, Wigan

  Ashburner House, Seymour Grove, Manchester

  Heron House, Hougoumont Avenue, Crosby

  Highland House, Manchester

  40

  St. John's House, Bootle

  St. Martin's House, Bootle

  Graeme House, Liverpool

  Moorgate Street, Rotherham

  Elvet House, Hallgarth Street, Durham

  Benton House, Sandyford Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne

  Wellbar House, Gallowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne

  John Rideal House, Barnsley

  Steel City House, Sheffield

  29 Shambles Street, Barnsley

  Montrose House, Glasgow

  Argyle House, Edinburgh

  52–56 Melville Street, Edinburgh

  2A–2B High Street, Dunbarton

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, (1) pursuant to his answer of 12 January to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans),Official Report, columns 200–1, regarding the conducting of the investigation of shipments of hazardous waste from the United Kingdom to developing countries (a) how much civil service and consultant time the investigation has utilised so far, (b) how much civil servant and consultant time the investigation is expected to utilise in total, (c) which organisation other than his Department will be involved in the investigation, (d) what are the terms of reference of the investigation, (e) when and how the investigation was announced and (f) which United Kingdom and overseas organisations have been invited to submit evidence;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 12 January to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans), Official Report, columns 200–1, regarding the report of the investigation of shipments of hazardous waste from the United Kingdom to developing countries (a) when the investigation will be complete, (b) how the investigation will make its report and (c) when the report will be made public;

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 12 January to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans), Official Report, columns 200–1, regarding the scope of the investigation of shipments of hazardous waste from the United Kingdom to developing countries (a) which countries the investigators will visit and for how long, (b) how many hazardous waste recovery facilities the investigators will visit, (c) which United Kingdom organisations have been invited to submit evidence and (d) what criteria the investigation will use to evaluate whether recovery operations in non-OECD countries are environmentally sound.

  Mr. Atkins
  The investigation has utilised about 150 hours of civil service time, but no consultant time to date. The time which will be spent upon the investigation will depend upon the findings in the first stage of the inquiry, which is designed to obtain information about environmental standards in receiving countries. The Department will consult representative trade organisations for the industries mainly concerned as well as environmental interest groups.

  The announcement of the investigation and its terms of reference, details of the reporting method and its availability and the United Kingdom organisations invited to submit evidence were detailed in my reply of 12 January 1994 to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans), Official Report, columns 200–1. No specific invitations were issued to organisations to submit

  41
  evidence, but I shall be glad to take account of any relevant information that United Kingdom or overseas organisations might send me.

  The first stage of the investigation will be completed in May 1994. The countries and hazardous waste facilities which will be investigated will depend upon the outcome of the first stage of the inquiry. The investigation will use the technical criteria established by the United Nations environment programme's expert group, the Basel convention technical working group on the environmentally sound management of wastes, when evaluating recovery operations in non-OECD countries.

  Landfill
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the meeting on 28 February between his Department and the waste industry to discuss compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 relating to landfill.

  Mr. Atkins
  No meeting was held on 28 February between my Department and the waste industry.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the cost of licences needed to dispose of waste as a result of EC directives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  As the then Minister for the Environment and Countryside explained on 29 November 1993,Official Report, column 384, the Government intend to bring the waste management licensing provisions of part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 into force on 1 May 1994. Those provisions will reflect the requirements of relevant EC directives. We have consulted interested parties in stages since August 1992 on our detailed proposals. Building on that consultation, the Department circulated for comment a draft compliance cost assessment and invited comments from industry by 28 February. We have received nine responses from trade associations and individual companies.

  On 10 August and 4 December 1992 consultation papers were issued on the charging scheme for waste management licensing which we propose to make under section 41 of the 1990 Act. All of the representations received in response to those consultation papers have been considered and details of the charging scheme which will come into force on 1 May 1994 will be announced as soon as possible.

  Housing
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the average percentage increases over the last three years in(a) registered fair rents in private unfurnished lettings, (b) house prices and (c) commercial rents.

  Sir George Young
  The latest available information on average yearly percentage increases in registered fair rents in private unfurnished lettings and house prices is given in the table.
  42

  England (per cent.)

  Year

  Fair rents

  House prices

  1990

  +16·8

  -1·8

  1991

  +10·8

  -2·1

  1992

  +13·3

  -4·6

  1993

  n/a

  -3·2

  For information on commercial rents, I refer the hon. Member to the Valuation Office Agency.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what communications he has received about the EC proposals for the disposal of waste and a licensing system from farmers and the National Farmers Union.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend's predecessor and other Ministers in the Department have received four letters from the National Farmers Union, and nine from hon. Members writing on behalf of farmers, about the new waste management licensing system and the EC framework directive on waste—91/156/EEC. My officials have also received correspondence, and have met the NFU.

  The forthcoming waste management licensing regulations will retain the current exemption for agricultural waste when they come into force on 1 May 1994. However, in order to comply fully with the requirements of the EC framework directive on waste, it will be necessary to make subsequent provision for some types of agricultural waste to be treated as controlled waste. We have undertaken to issue a consultation paper on any such proposals for new controls over agricultural waste, before making any changes.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will revise his practice notes for councils about the collection of the council tax.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department's practice note, "Council Tax Administration", which deals with billing and collection of the tax in England and Wales, will be revised shortly to take into account some minor changes in secondary legislation which will come into effect on 1 April 1994.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to introducing legislation to compensate householders who are sent demands for council tax payments when the council tax has been paid.

  Mr. Baldry
  The sensible course in these circumstances is for the taxpayer to produce his receipt or proof of payment. If he cannot do so, and the authority remains of the view that he has not paid, such matters would, in England and Wales, eventually come before a magistrates court for a decision. The court has discretion to order costs to either party. These arrangements are fully adequate and we see no reason to change them.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make representations to local authority directors of finance to seek improvements in the accuracy of their council tax billing procedures.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no evidence that such advice is necessary to authorities in England.
  43
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to safeguard householders who receive erroneous bills for the council tax.

  Mr. Baldry
  In England and Wales, taxpayers may appeal to a valuation tribunal about disputed liabilities which cannot be resolved with the local authority.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the penalty for delaying payment of council tax for over six months.

  Mr. Baldry
  If an instalment of council tax remains unpaid, an authority may seek a liability order from a magistrates' court. This enables the authority to employ a range of recovery options, including attachment of the debtor's earnings, deductions from income support, and the levy of distress. An authority can recover from the debtor the costs of obtaining the liability order and the costs of levying distress. Within this framework we do not consider a specific financial penalty for non-payment is necessary.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost of dealing with council tax valuation appeals.

  Mr. Baldry
  The estimated average cost of processing a council tax appeal in the current financial year in England is £115. This estimate includes Valuation Office Agency and valuation tribunal costs.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties in each band(a) will and (b) will not attract council tax transitional relief in Pendle, Westminster, Wandsworth and Ribble Valley in 1994–95.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held by the Department.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce more stringent entry controls for foreign toxic waste.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering the need for additional provisions to implement the EC Waste Shipments Regulation, and will announce his conclusions in due course.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the estimated savings to local authorities from the advance payment of council tax by appellants whose appeals have been delayed by the operation of the valuation appeals procedure.

  Mr. Baldry
  No such estimates have been made.

  Living Over The Shop
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many successful schemes have been initiated under the living-over-the-shop scheme; and how many of these have used the services of the living over the shop project at the university of York.
  44
  Sir George Young
  In 1992–93, 269 new homes were created as a result of the Department's flats-over-shops programme. Of the 132 local authorities who received supplementary credit approvals in respect of this, only one has acknowledged any significant involvement with the living-over-the-shop project. It is of course possible that others may also have had some contact with the LOTS project. In addition, schemes financed by the Housing Corporation created 223 new housing units in 1992–93. Other schemes have also gone ahead using the owner's own resources and other funding mechanisms.

  Pennine Bridleway
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to complete the Pennine bridleway.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 21 January,Official Report, column 869.

  Paris Commission Policy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Government policy on compliance with the Paris Commission's policy agreed in June 1993.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Paris Commission is a meeting of representatives of the contracting parties to the 1974 Paris convention. A contracting party is bound only by the decisions and recommendations of the Commission that it accepts. It is United Kingdom policy to comply with those decisions and recommendations that we accept. At its June 1993 meeting, the Commission adopted the following decisions and recommendations:

  a. Recommendation concerning the limitation of pollution from existing primary iron and steel production installations (PARCOM Recommendation 93/1): adopted by a three-quarters majority (Belgium, Portugal and Spain entered reservations); the United Kingdom accepted this recommendation;

  b. Decision on the phasing-out of the use of hexachloroethane in the non-ferrous metal industry (PARCOM Decision 93/1): adopted by a three-quarters majority (Germany and the United Kingdom entered reservations, as did the Commission of the European Communities); the United Kingdom reservation is because we have not completed the assessment of the cost of complying with the decision;

  c. Recommendation on further restrictions on the discharge of mercury from dentistry (PARCOM Recommendation 93/2): adopted by a three-quarters majority (France, Portugal and Spain entered reservations); the United Kingdom accepted this recommendation;

  d. Recommendation on the elaboration of national action plans and best environmental practice for the reduction of inputs to the environment of pesticides from agricultural use (PARCOM Recommendation 93/3): adopted by a three-quarters majority (France and Portugal entered reservations); the United Kingdom accepted this recommendation;

  e. Recommendation on the phasing out of cationic detergents DTDMAC, DSDMAC and DHTDMAC in fabric softners (PARCOM Recommendation 93/4): adopted by a three-quarters majority (the United Kingdom entered a reservation); the United Kingdom reservation was because evidence that available substitutes are less environmentally hazardous is not available except to the firms that have developed them, and because formal action is unnecessary, given the 90 per cent. reduction in usage in recent years;

  f.Recommendation concerning increases in radioactive discharges from nuclear reprocessing plants (PARCOM Recommendation 93/5) was adopted by a three-quarters majority (France and the United Kingdom entered reservations, as did the Commission of the European

  45
  Communities; Belgium entered a study reserve, which has now been withdrawn); the United Kingdom reservation was because the first limb of the recommendation made no progress beyond the commitment in the 1992 Action Plan, while the second limb both was too vague to provide a proper basis for a PARCOM recommendation and, insofar as it provided for a role for the Paris Commission in the decision process, was inappropriate.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake or commission research into the effects of low-level radioactive waste in west Cumbria over the past 30 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Low-level radioactive waste in west Cumbria is managed and disposed of in accordance with strict regulatory requirements. The west Cumbrian environment has, over many years, been the subject of extensive research and monitoring programmes undertaken by the nuclear site operators, the regulatory authorities and Government Departments.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the source of the calculation in the consultation paper, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies" that homelessness acceptances accounted for 45 per cent. of local authority lettings in 1992–93; what is the source of the figure of 29 per cent. in the research report accompanying the consultation paper; and what is the comparable figure from housing investment programme returns from local authorities.

  Sir George Young
  The percentage figure given in the consultation document is based on information provided by local authorities on their 1993 housing investment programme—HIP—returns; it relates to the proportion of new lettings, that is total lettings less transfers of existing tenants and dwellings let through mutual exchanges or mobility arrangements, in 1992–93, both secure and non-secure, that were to homeless households.

  The figure in the research report is based on a representative sample of new local authority secure tenancies over the period April to July 1991.

  There are a number of differences between the two proportions, including the reference period and the coverage of the sample and the definition of new lettings.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total amount of central Government grant given to each urban programme authority in the years 1980–81, 1986–87 and 1993–94 at constant 1994 prices.

  Mr. Baldry
  The urban programme grant paid to current urban programme authorities is as follows:

  Urban programme (UP) funding

  £ million

  Local authority

  1980–81 adjusted outturn

  1986–87 adjusted outturn

  Estimated 1993–94 outturn

  East Midlands region

  Derby

  —

  —

  0·6

  Leicester

  5·9

  5·2

  2·4

  46

  Local authority

  1980–81 adjusted outturn

  1986–87 Adjusted outturn

  Estimated 1993–94 outturn

  Nottingham

  5·3

  5·9

  2·4

  London region

  Haringey

  —

  —

  1·0

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  0·7

  Hammersmith/Fulham

  5·1

  5·0

  1·1

  Brent

  0·5

  4·2

  1·4

  Hackney

  123·9

  11·7

  2·0

  Islington

  —

  10·2

  4·1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  0·8

  Lambeth

  13·9

  12·5

  4·1

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  1·0

  Newham

  —

  —

  1·4

  Southwark

  —

  —

  1·3

  Tower Hamlets

  0·5

  4·3

  1·9

  Wandsworth

  0·7

  4·6

  1·4

  Merseyside task force

  Halton

  —

  —

  0·7

  Knowsley

  0·2

  4·0

  2·1

  Liverpool

  27·3

  25·0

  8·7

  Sefton

  —

  —

  0·7

  St. Helens

  —

  —

  0·8

  Wirral

  4·1

  4·7

  1·6

  Northern region

  Newcastle/Gateshead

  20·0

  21·4

  7·7

  Hartlepool

  —

  —

  0·9

  Langbaurgh

  —

  —

  0·9

  Middlesborough

  4·2

  5·9

  2·3

  North Tyneside

  3·4

  4·2

  1·6

  South Tyneside

  3·9

  5·1

  2·4

  Stockton

  —

  —

  0·9

  Sunderland

  4·0

  4·8

  2·5

  North West region

  Blackburn

  0·5

  4·1

  1·4

  Bolton

  3·2

  4·2

  1·7

  Burnley

  —

  —

  0·5

  Manchester/Salford

  27·1

  25·1

  9·7

  Oldham

  3·8

  4·0

  1·8

  Preston

  —

  —

  0·8

  Rochdale

  0·8

  4·0

  1·8

  Wigan

  —

  —

  1·2

  South west region

  Bristol

  —

  —

  0·8

  Plymouth

  —

  —

  0·6

  West Midlands region

  Birmingham

  26·8

  28·7

  10·0

  Coventry

  0·2

  4·1

  2·2

  Dudley

  —

  —

  0·7

  Sandwell

  1·3

  5·0

  2·2

  Walsall

  —

  —

  0·7

  Wolverhampton

  4·5

  6·3

  2·4

  Wrekin

  —

  —

  0·5

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  Barnsley

  —

  —

  0·9

  Bradford

  5·1

  3·8

  2·2

  Doncaster

  —

  —

  0·9

  Hull

  4·0

  5·0

  2·3

  Kirklees

  —

  —

  0·5

  Leeds

  5·5

  4·4

  2·6

  Rotherham

  —

  —

  1·1

  Sheffield

  5·3

  6·0

  2·9

  1 In 1980–81 the London Boroughs of Hackney and Islington were treated as one UP authority.

  Notes:

  UP funding figures for 1980–81 and 1986–87 are actual outturn figures adjusted by GDP deflator indices to constant 1994 prices. UP funding figures for 1993–94 are forcast outturns. For all the three financial years grant was paid at 75 per cent. of actual expenditure.
  47
  The blank spaces in the table mean that the authority was not a UP authority in that financial year.

  The UP partnerships of Newcastle/Gateshead and Manchester/Salford have not been split because historic outturn data was not kept by constituent authority.

  Tenancies
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many private sector tenancies were(a) available for rent and (b) in rented occupation in each year from 1979.

  Sir George Young
  The Department compiles estimates on the number of private rented dwellings. These are published in the quarterly and annual publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". The information requested about tenancies is not collected by the Department.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made on the number of residents of Ipswich affected by Government clawback of council tax transitional relief; what is the maximum resultant increase in council tax involved; if he will urgently review the decision to clawback the relief; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Transitional relief grant will fall to be repaid only where taxes are uncollected. The amount to be repaid, and any consequent effect on council taxes, is entirely dependent on the collection performance of Ipswich borough council.

  Sheep Dip
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 113, regarding representations from EU bodies about sheep dip, what was the purpose and content of the formal inquiry; and what was Her Majesty's Government's response.

  Mr. Atkins
  Correspondence between the United Kingdom and the European Commission is treated in confidence.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether funding is available from his Department for local authorities to establish closed circuit television camera systems to combat crime.

  Mr. Baldry
  There is no specific funding for this purpose. General funds are made available by the Department to local authorities each year in the revenue support grant settlement and authorities may use these

  Total renovation grant payments

  Total amount of grant

  Local authority1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  21993–94

  Blackburn

  2,260,253

  2,522,674

  1,505,573

  3,402,386

  4,087,794

  827,226

  Blackpool

  798,009

  585,865

  400,557

  674,914

  1,160,064

  241,169

  Bolton

  (3)2,841,059

  (1)797,161

  (1)314,465

  3,113,500

  4,640,974

  740,276

  Burnley

  1,101,255

  (3)556,222

  1,350,625

  1,223,346

  1,701,789

  586,344

  Bury

  (3)1,273,642

  (1)403,705

  1,185,074

  1,279,178

  1,324,193

  832,270

  Chester

  (3)664,416

  (3)761,559

  1,020,059

  1,151,406

  1,038,590

  895,265

  Chorley

  870,985

  1,369,583

  688,667

  1,069,056

  1,357,754

  1,012,729

  Congleton

  478,949

  426,836

  (3)196,982

  237,626

  637,517

  192,134

  48
  funds to establish CCTV systems. The regeneration plans of several city challenge partnerships have included CCTV schemes in their crime reduction-prevention strategies.

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of bed-and-breakfast provision for each housing department in 1993.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: I have today placed in the Library a table giving figures on the net costs of housing homeless households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in 1992–93, the latest period for which data are available, as reported by local authorities on their revenue outturn return.

  Renovation Grants
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total amount given in renovation grants including(a) improvement, (b) intermediate and (c) repair each year since 1988–89; and what is the latest available information for each authority in the north-west;

  (2) what was the total amount of renovation grants including (a) improvement, (b) intermediate and (c) repair for each year since 1988–89; and what is the latest available information on the amounts of grant made in each year by the local authorities in the north west region.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]: Information about house renovation grants for England as a whole is shown in the quarterly publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". Information about payments under the Housing Act 1985 (including improvement, intermediate and repair grants) is shown separately from those under the new grants system set up by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

  Figures for each year appear in the issues and tables listed. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Year

  Table

  Issue

  1988–89 to 1989–90

  2.18 (1985 Act)

  December 1991, Part 2

  1990–91 to 1992–93

  2.18 (1985 Act)

  September 1993, Part 2

  1990–91 to 1992–93

  2.17 (1989 Act)

  September 1993, Part 2

  1993–941

  2.18(1985 Act)

  September 1993, Part 2

  1993–941

  2.17 (1989 Act)

  September 1993, Part 2

  1 1993–94 data in the above publications are provisional and cover the second and third quarters of 1993 only.

  Latest available figures on the total amounts of renovation grants made available in each local authority area in the north-west region from financial year 1988–89 to 1992–93, and the first six months of 1993–94, are shown in the table.
  49

  Local authority1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  21993–94

  Crewe and Nantwich

  651,911

  599,893

  462,755

  480,300

  485,642

  187,769

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  —

  (3)0471,234

  313,895

  580,712

  895,265

  349,689

  Fylde

  626,594

  (3)462,374

  290,733

  914,470

  1,243,085

  320,472

  Halton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hyndburn

  (1)219,275

  —

  (2)1,124,166

  (3)1,751,382

  3,045,915

  473,381

  Knowsley

  570,298

  548,229

  178,757

  715,275

  687,872

  (1)302,507

  Lancaster

  865,198

  972,750

  543,804

  1,412,370

  1,494,955

  345,016

  Liverpool

  8,938,088

  (2)5,363,067

  (3)5,020,835

  (3)1,165,408

  4,558,024

  2,729,335

  Macclesfield

  (1)306,912

  883,057

  (2)285,927

  (1)67,726

  (3)813,865

  492,361

  Manchester

  (2)3,190,212

  4,328,167

  3,033,834

  2,635,914

  5,492,761

  3,256,720

  Oldham

  1,350,494

  439,785

  556,660

  2,981,426

  4,712,175

  477,607

  Pendle

  618,201

  1,286,545

  1,078,515

  1,183,159

  1,560,541

  620,199

  Preston

  1,613,011

  —

  (3)2,172,959

  (3)2,111,234

  (3)1,128,914

  608,813

  Ribble Valley

  155,081

  155,600

  238,118

  229,627

  503,309

  40,783

  Rochdale

  (3)2,744,416

  1,400,234

  1,303,758

  (3)1,664,339

  2,975,424

  353,614

  Rossendale

  715,299

  (3)477,217

  662,675

  864,256

  1,464,297

  644,358

  St. Helens

  1,276,005

  1,186,369

  1,952,806

  (2)1,556,258

  (2)1,684,739

  2,399,728

  Salford

  —

  2,951,871

  1,798,893

  2,313,054

  2,789,027

  1,332,961

  Sefton

  (1)382,036

  —

  —

  (1)430,503

  (1)378,394

  —

  South Ribble

  458,764

  427,236

  492,338

  1,075,967

  1,119,365

  378,908

  Stockport

  2,917,404

  2,719,685

  1,604,521

  3,141,931

  3,530,594

  897,567

  Tameside

  2,609,551

  1,641,745

  (2)463,201

  3,086,376

  2,261,016

  314,325

  Trafford

  1,959,462

  (3)1,281,704

  1,671,240

  (3)903,465

  (2)1,294,825

  —

  Vale Royal

  637,886

  710,173

  309,574

  321,266

  101,743

  75,911

  Warrington

  1,416,559

  —

  (3)1,072,923

  —

  1,591,678

  627,790

  West Lancashire

  943,983

  880,903

  959,142

  798,580

  941,701

  687,705

  Wigan

  2,337,466

  1,851,928

  1,359,576

  2,175,538

  1,716,072

  1,092,650

  Wirral

  4,861,354

  (3)3,892,751

  4,114,634

  3,640,721

  6,310,628

  3,717,939

  Wyre

  (3)232,059

  (2)194,951

  294,040

  651,475

  741,303

  545,945

  North West(3)

  65,475,000

  61,119,000

  47,036,000

  57,424,000

  75,489,000

  31,042,000

  1 As reported to the Department by the local authorities on the quarterly statistical return P1D.

  No allowance is made for non-response by individual local authorities.

  —=No returns received for that year

  (1)=One return received for that year

  (2)=Two returns received for that year

  (3)=Three returns received for that year

  (2) The figures for 1993–94 are for the first six months of the financial year.

  (3) The figures for the North West as a whole include Departmental estimates for missing returns.

  Therefore this total is greater than the sum of values for individual local authorities.

  Marine Aggregates Industry
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responsibility his Department has for promoting the interests of the marine aggregates industry.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: My Department has sponsorship responsibility for the construction products and materials industries generally, and including. the marine aggregates industry. It provides a first point of contact for the products and materials sectors; acts as the link between Government and the industry; speaks for the industry in Government; and co-ordinates action on environmental issues that affect the products and materials sectors of the industry. My Department also co-ordinates the Government view procedure which is a prerequisite for the licensing of extraction.

  Livera Foods plc
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much public money was made available for the establishment of Livera Foods plc in Preston Farm, Stockton on Tees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: Details of financial transactions between the Department, sponsored bodies, and private companies are commercially confidential, and I therefore cannot give details of grant, if any, given to Livera Foods.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the progress of the setting up of the national lottery.

  Mr. Brooke
  The director general is currently assessing the eight applications for the main section 5 licence to operate the national lottery. I understand that he hopes to be able to make an announcement of the successful applicant in May of this year and formally grant the licence in July.

  Play Services
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what efforts have been made by his Department for ensuring the future provision of local play services following any reorganisation of local government.

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State receives copies of each report prepared by the Local Government Commission and comments, as appropriate, in relation to his areas of responsibility which include children's play.

  Sinn Fein (Broadcasting)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to review his broadcasting restrictions on the Sinn Fein/IRA.
  51
  Mr. Brooke
  The restrictions remain under review in the light of further developments.

  Business Sponsorship
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to promote business sponsorship of the arts.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government seek to promote a partnership approach to arts funding by developing a network of sources of support, nationally and locally. Over the last 20 years, business sponsorship has made an increasingly important contribution to our expanding arts economy. In 1976–77 business support amounted to about £500,000. By 1992–93 that figure had increased to at least £57·7 million.

  The Government's own business sponsorship incentive scheme—BSIS—has done much to encourage this welcome trend. Since its inception in 1984, the scheme has attracted £69·2 million in new money to the arts. In recognition of the importance of business sponsorship and of the success of the BSIS I shall increase the scheme's budget for next year by £300,000 to a record £4·8 million. This will enable a new ABSA office to be established to serve the midlands. I will also be modifying the scheme for business sponsors in Wales to allow Welsh arts organisations to make more effective use of it.

  Speke Hall
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to secure the future of Speke hall in the Liverpool, Garston, constituency.

  Mr. Sproat
  Speke hall is owned by the National Trust. The hall has been grade I listed by the Secretary of State; the moated site in which it stands is a scheduled monument; and its garden is grade II listed in the "National Register of Historic Gardens of Special Interest in England". Since 1987 English Heritage has provided over £200,000 in grant aid towards repairs to Speke hall.

  Film Exports
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what contribution the export of United Kingdom-produced films made to the United Kingdom's annual balance of trade in the last financial year for which records are available.

  Mr. Brooke
  Export earnings by United Kingdom film companies reached £371 million in 1992, the last year for which figures are available. Some £182 million of this total was earned from the provision of production services, with the remaining £189 million having come from overseas royalties.

  Albert Memorial
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the policy of his Department towards the repair and refurbishment of the Albert memorial.

  Mr. Brooke
  The restoration of the Albert memorial will start this year. The work will make the memorial sound for at least 60 years and will comprise repair of the ironwork, the lead cladding, the stonework, statues and decorations together with the provision of a visitor centre.

  BBC Charter
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations he has received regarding the operation of the BBC's regional policy during his review of the BBC's charter in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  During 1993, I received 44 letters about the BBC's regional policy. In 1993, I also received some 2,800 responses to the Government's consultation document about the future of the BBC. A small number mentioned the BBC's regional policy, or the English regions, and 85 letters from organisations commented on the BBC's programmes and services for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

  Parliamentary Broadcasting
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has made to the BBC concerning the sound of broadcasting of Parliament on FM; and what response he has had.

  Mr. Brooke
  None. This is a matter for the BBC.

  Film Production
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to encourage United Kingdom-based film production.

  Mr. Brooke
  There is nothing I can usefully add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 25 January,Official Report, column 135.

  BBC Efficiency Improvements
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the BBC's efficiency improvements in his review of the royal charter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Last year, I appointed the independent consultants, Touche Ross, to examine efficiency and economy measures in the BBC, as part of its study on the level of the television licence fee. I welcome its conclusion that the BBC has pursued opportunities to make savings and efficiency improvements in a vigorous and effective manner. The BBC is taking further measures to improve its efficiency. We are taking account of the BBC's continuing efforts to operate more cost-effectively in developing our proposals for the corporation's future.

  Sports (Promotion)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action he is taking to link sports clubs with schools to promote games' coaching and team sports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  On 16 February, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State held a consultative conference on sport in schools involving representatives of both sport and education. One of the issues discussed was how to improve the provision of team sports by strengthening the links between clubs and schools, and we are now considering the ideas put forward.

  Channel 4 Licence
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the conditions which are attached to the licence for Channel 4 to broadcast.

  Mr. Brooke
  The licence conditions for Channel 4 are a matter for the Independent Television Commission. I have no plans to review the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1990 on the financing of Channel 4.

  United Kingdom Broadcasters
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the success of United Kingdom broadcasters in the international broadcasting market.

  Mr. Brooke
  I congratulate British broadcasters on their success in selling programmes abroad. I hope they will build on these achievements in the years ahead.

SCOTLAND

  Cottage Hospital Closures
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what legislation he is consulted before a cottage hospital may be closed; and if he will give details of the procedure laid down.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend is consulted in accordance with the requirements of NHS circular 1975(GEN)4 before a hospital may be closed: the procedure laid down is that the health board should consult all bodies with a valid interest, in time to allow all comments to be considered and taken into account before the board takes a final decision, and before any proposals, revised where appropriate, are submitted to my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department first received information from Tayside health board that it wished to close Meigle cottage hospital.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Scottish Home and Health Department was first informed of a proposal to close Meigle cottage hospital in 1963, when a review of Meigle's future was undertaken by the Eastern Regional hospitals' board. The first formal submission seeking approval to close was received by the Department in July 1991.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the proposals received by his Department in the years 1987 and 1988 about the plans of Tayside health board to close Meigle cottage hospital.

  Mr. Stewart
  No formal submission seeking approval to close Meigle cottage hospital was received in this period. The only reference to possible future closure was in the health board's strategic plan "Strategy for Health Care in Tayside for the 90's", published in July 1988.

  Women (Statistics)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a ranking by region of the percentage of families headed by a female lone parent.
  54
  Mr. Stewart
  The information is not readily available in precisely the form requested. However, two closely related statistics have been derived from published 1991 census tables. The information is shown in the table.

  The term "female lone parent households" is used here to describe households with one female aged 16 or over and one or more children under 16, not necessarily related. The term "lone parent families" is used here to describe families with dependent children headed by a lone parent—male or female.

  1991 Census: Female lone parent households and lone parent families Scotland

  Region

  Female lone parent households as a percentage of all households

  Lone parent families as a percentage of all families

  Percentage

  Rank

  Percentage1

  Rank

  Borders

  2·4

  10

  6·3

  11

  Central

  3·9

  4

  8·5

  5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2·8

  8

  7·1

  7

  Fife

  4·0

  3

  8·6

  4

  Grampian

  2·9

  7

  6·4

  10

  Highland

  3·3

  6

  7·7

  6

  Lothian

  3·8

  5

  8·8

  3

  Strathclyde

  4·9

  1

  11·0

  1

  Tayside

  4·3

  2

  9·8

  2

  Orkney

  2·1

  12

  6·1

  12

  Shetland

  2·6

  9

  7·0

  8

  Western Isles

  2·1

  11

  6·6

  9

  1 Based on a 10 per cent, sample of census returns.

  Sources: 1991 Census Report for Scotland (tables I, 40 and 89).

  1991 Census Definitions Volume.

  NHS Help Line
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has established a help line to assist patients with inquiries relating to the operation of the national health services in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  Yes. The NHS helpline was set up in October 1992 to provide the public with a wide range of information about the NHS in Scotland.

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

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of such pupils is impossible to assess accurately but they must be very few. Over 80 per cent. of the families of pupils receiving assisted places in 1993–94 have incomes below £18,000 per annum, and about 45 per cent. have incomes below the £9,522 threshold which entitles a pupil to a free place. Such families would not be able to meet school fees without assistance.

  Mountain Rescue
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the cost to Grampian, Tayside, Highland and Strathclyde regions in 1979, 1989 and 1992 and the latest available date for police involved in mountain area search and rescue activity;
  55
  (2) what was the cost to Grampian and Tayside Health Boards and other Scottish health boards in 1979, 1989, 1992 and the latest available date for ambulance and other emergency services involved in mountain area search and rescue activity.

  Mr. Stewart
  The cost of ambulance and other emergency services involved in mountain rescue activities does not fall on health boards.

  Forestry
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a summary of the report of the forestry review group as a basis for public consultation before reaching his decisions.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The report of the forestry review group is, and will remain, confidential to Ministers. There will, however, be consultation on the options preferred by Ministers before matters are taken forward. The form and timing of consultation will depend on the conclusions which Ministers draw from the advice which they have received from the review group.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much revenue was received by the Treasury in each year since 1981 from the sale of Forestry Commission land in(a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Receipts from the sale of Forestry Commission land during the year ended 31 March 1993 were £5 million, Scotland; £3·1 million, England and £1·8 million, Wales.

  A breakdown of the receipts in previous years by country is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total receipts from sales throughout Britain are as follows:

  Year Ended 31 March

  Total Receipts £ million

  1982

  6·9

  1983

  14·6

  1984

  23·6

  1985

  22·1

  1986

  17·0

  1987

  14·7

  1988

  13·1

  1989

  12·4

  1990

  13·0

  1991

  12·0

  1992

  14·5

  1993

  9·9

  All receipts from the sale of Forestry Commission land under the disposals programme are surrendered to the Treasury.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what level of public consultation there has been or will be into allowing increased levels of radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant;

  (2) if a full enviromental impact assessment has been made into the consequences of allowing increased radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what research has been undertaken and consultation held into the impact on fish and the fishing industry
  56
  through allowing increased radioactive discharge from the Dounreay reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  AEA Technology has applied to the chief inspector, HM industrial pollution inspectorate, for revised waste disposal authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 in respect of the Dounreay site. Copies of the application have been made available to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

  The application provides an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed discharges including the possible effects on marine food stuffs. If, however, the chief inspector considers that he requires further information in order to determine the application he is entitled to seek such information from the applicant or such others sources as he sees fit.

  Before granting an authorisation in respect of the disposal of radioactive waste on or from the Dounreay site the chief inspector is required by the Act to consult such local authorities, relevant water bodies and other public or local authorities as appear to him to be proper to be consulted by him.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the levels of radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant in the current year; and what are the estimated levels in each of the next five years.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Information about radioactive discharges from Dounreay is available in a series of statistical bulletins published by the Scottish Office entitled "Radioactive Waste Disposals from Nuclear Sites in Scotland". The most recent bulletin provides information for the period 1988 to 1992 and copies are in the Library. A further bulletin covering the period 1989 to 1993 is in preparation and will be published as soon as possible.

  Levels of discharge in future years are dependent on the outcome of the application which AEA Technology has made to the chief inspector, HM industrial pollution inspectorate for revised waste disposal authorisations.

  Rail Freight
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with British Rail regarding the sale of freight sidings at Crianlarich and Oban; what is his Department's position on the matter; and if he will make a statement regarding the policy his Department is adopting in order to encourage the development of rail freight in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has had no discussions with British Rail regarding the sale of freight sidings at Crianlarich and Oban. Government policies are designed to encourage freight to transfer from road to rail where it makes economic and environmental sense to do so. The existing freight facilities grant scheme, administered in Scotland by the Scottish Office, provides targeted financial assistance to capital projects which demonstrably help the environment by switching traffic from road to rail. The scheme is being enhanced and the changes will take effect from 1 April 1994.

  A new grant scheme to be administered by the Department of Transport on a Great Britain basis is being introduced from 1 April, under which contributions can be

  57
  made towards track charges for freight traffic where it can be demonstrated that such traffic could not be attracted to rail without it.

  Roads
  Mr. William. Ross
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Scotland what sums he intends to spend on road improvements between Stranraer and Dumfries over the next three years; and when he expects the remainder of that road to have been improved.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As is customary, my right hon. Friend will shortly be announcing those major trunk road schemes on which, subject to completion of statutory procedures and available resources, it is intended to commence construction next year and, provisionally, in the subsequent two years. In recent years more than £85 million has been spent on schemes to improve the A75, including a number of bypass schemes to relieve communities along the route. The recent review of Scotland's key roads confirmed that these improvements have substantially eliminated the operating difficulties on the route.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of vehicles in each different category counted by his Department using the Stranraer-Dumfries road at maximum, minimum and

  Table 1

  A75 Carsluith

  Month

  Pedal cycles

  Motor cycles

  Cars

  Buses

  LGV

  HGV

  All vehicles

  January

  0

  1

  1,979

  16

  212

  689

  2,897

  February

  0

  2

  2,149

  17

  251

  802

  3,221

  March

  0

  2

  2,258

  19

  275

  903

  3,457

  April

  0

  4

  3,027

  30

  329

  961

  4,351

  May

  0

  7

  3,052

  29

  315

  867

  4,242

  June

  0

  7

  3,365

  37

  399

  871

  4,679

  July

  0

  8

  4,080

  49

  495

  813

  5,445

  August

  0

  9

  4,472

  41

  477

  826

  5,825

  September

  0

  5

  3,475

  39

  384

  951

  4,854

  October

  0

  3

  2,967

  27

  320

  929

  4,246

  November

  0

  2

  2,181

  21

  280

  920

  3,404

  December

  0

  3

  2,207

  20

  253

  821

  3,304

  Annual average daily flow

  0

  5

  3,001

  30

  340

  866

  4,241

  Table 2

  A75 Castle Douglas

  Month

  Pedal cycles

  Motor cycles

  Cars

  Buses

  LGV

  HGV

  All vehicles

  January

  0

  10

  4,147

  17

  376

  948

  5,498

  February

  0

  8

  4,483

  19

  420

  1,062

  5,992

  March

  0

  7

  4,585

  20

  476

  1,172

  6,260

  April

  0

  7

  5,382

  31

  517

  1,117

  7,054

  May

  0

  6

  5,126

  33

  546

  1,075

  6,786

  June

  0

  10

  5,867

  37

  688

  1,282

  7,884

  June

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  August

  0

  9

  6,274

  40

  713

  1,149

  8,185

  September

  0

  10

  5,876

  38

  648

  1,310

  7,882

  October

  0

  10

  5,392

  28

  536

  1,224

  7,190

  November

  0

  16

  4,423

  19

  480

  1,197

  6,135

  December

  0

  14

  4,632

  21

  416

  1,062

  6,145

  Annual average daily flow

  0

  10

  4,877

  29

  513

  1,135

  6,563

  58
  average flows; what is his estimate of the average speed of vehicles on that road; and what were the figures five and 10 years ago.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Automatic traffic counters on the A75 located at Carsluith and Castle Douglas have been used to obtain an estimate of the maximum, minimum and average annual traffic flows in 1993. The traffic flows obtained are indicated in tables 1 and 2.

  Table 1, Carsluith, shows that the maximum annual two-way daily flow occurs in August and is 5,825, the minimum daily flow is in January and is 2,897 with an average annual daily flow for this site of 4,241.

  Table 2, Castle Douglas, shows that the maximum annual two-way daily flow occurs in August and is 8,185, the minimum daily flow is in January, 5,498, with an average annual daily flow for this site of 6,563.

  Information regarding traffic speeds has been obtained from the A75 Carsluith site. This information was retrieved on 28 February and 2 March 1994 and is summarised in table 3. Speed data was not available for five or 10 years ago.

  An analysis of the historic traffic flows on the A75 between Stranraer and Dumfries has been carried out. Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7 show how traffic volumes have changes over the period from 1982 to 1992 at various locations along the route. In summary during the period 1982 to 1992 traffic volumes increased by between 18 per cent. and 30 per cent. depending on location.
  59

  Table 3

  Vehicle Type

  Average speed km/hr

  Motor cycles

  75

  Cars

  97

  LGV

  93

  HGV

  84

  Bus

  85

  All vehicles

  87

  Table 4: Census Point Location DTP10745 A.75 2·8 km south east of A751

  CP Number

  DTP10745

  DTP10745

  Route

  A0075

  A0075

  Year

  1982

  1992

  Pedal cycles

  30

  7

  Motor cyles

  25

  7

  Cars

  2,500

  2,987

  Buses

  50

  54

  LGV

  400

  408

  HGV

  400

  624

  All vehicles

  3,300

  4,080

  CP Number

  DTP10745

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1987

  All vehicles

  3,347

  Traffic Growth (per cent.) 1982–1987

  1

  1982 to 1992 difference in traffic (per cent.)

  CP Number

  DTP10745

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1992

  Pedal cycles

  -23

  TWMV

  -18

  Cars

  487

  Buses

  4

  LGV

  8

  HGV

  224

  All vehicles

  780

  Traffic Growth (per cent.) 1982–1992

  19

  Table 5 Census point location: DTP20749, A75, 600m west of B733

  CP Number

  DTP20749

  DTP20749

  Route

  A0075

  A0075

  Year

  1982

  1992

  Pedal Cycles

  0

  15

  Motor Cycles

  61

  53

  Cars

  1,825

  2,353

  Buses

  30

  38

  LGV

  283

  453

  HGV

  691

  611

  All vehicles

  2,890

  3,508

  CP Number

  DTP20749

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1987

  All vehicles

  3,466

  Traffic growth 1982–87 (per cent.)

  17

  60

  1982 to 1992 difference in Traffic

  CP Number

  DTP20749

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1992

  PC

  15

  TWMV

  -8

  Cars

  528

  Buses

  8

  LGV

  170

  HGV

  -80

  All vehicles

  618

  Traffic growth 1982–92 (per cent.)

  18

  Table 6

  Census point location: DTP00740, A75, 1·5km south west of A71

  Number

  CP number

  DTP00740

  DTP00740

  Route

  A0075

  A0075

  Year

  1982

  1992

  Pedal cycles

  0

  3

  Motor cycles

  32

  14

  Cars

  2,061

  3,432

  Buses

  34

  29

  LGV

  287

  334

  HGV

  638

  560

  All vehicles

  3,052

  4,369

  Number

  CP number

  DTP00740

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1987

  All vehicles

  3,326

  Traffic growth percentage 1982–87

  8

  1982 to 1992 difference in traffic

  Number

  CP number

  DTP00740

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1992

  PC

  3

  TWMV

  -18

  Cars

  1,371

  Buses

  -5

  LGV

  47

  HGV

  -78

  All vehicles

  1,317

  Traffic growth percentage 1982–92

  30

  Table 7

  Census Point Location

  DTP10740—A75 2·4 km north east ofA712

  Route, year and vehicle

  DTP10740

  DTP10740

  Route

  A0075

  A0075

  Year

  1982

  1992

  Pedal Cycles

  4

  0

  Motor Cycles

  25

  9

  Cars

  3,223

  4,684

  Buses

  55

  46

  Light Goods Vehicle

  427

  746

  Heavy Goods Vehicle

  807

  536

  All Vehicles

  4,537

  6,021

  61

  Traffic Growth

  Route, year, vehicle and percentage growth

  DTP10740

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1987

  All Vehicles

  5,079

  1982–1987 (per cent.)

  11

  1982 to 1992 Difference in Traffic

  Route, year, vehicle and percentage difference

  DTP10740

  Route

  A0075

  Year

  1992

  Pedal Cycles

  -4

  TW Motor Vehicle

  -16

  Cars

  1,461

  Buses

  -9

  Light Goods Vehicle

  319

  Heavy Goods Vehicle

  271

  All Vehicles

  1,484

  1982–1992 (per cent.)

  25

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if he will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Office has its own on-site nursery at East Craigs, Edinburth which is registered for 15 full-time places and operates on a mix of full and part-time attendance. Those using the facility meet its running costs with accommodation costs being met by my Department. The Scottish Office takes occupancy of a major new building at Victoria quay, Leith in the autumn of 1995. Our plans for this building include a 30 to 35-place nursery.

  Additionally, staff in my Department can place children in the central holiday play scheme, in Edinburgh. The facilities are available to staff on a full repayment basis although my Department makes a small contribution of around £500 to the play scheme to help with the cost of outings. Discussions are also taking place about a similar play scheme in the Glasgow area.

  Prisoners (Criminal Proceedings)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases a commissioner has been appointed under section 33 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 in(a) the sheriff court and (b) the High Court to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 16 February 1994]: There have been no appointments in either sheriff court or High Court proceedings to date.

  Imports
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of European imports to Scotland are transported directly by(a) sea and (b) air to Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1994]: Imports in 1992 from EC countries to Scotland directly at seaports were 2,736 thousand tonnes, and at airports 2,000 tonnes. Total imports from Europe to Scotland are not available, therefore the requested percentages cannot be derived.

  Royal Fine Arts Commission
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of the Royal Fine Arts Commission, their place of residence, and the remuneration paid to each.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 March 1994]: The information is given in the table. No remuneration is paid to members of the commission, but expenses are payable.

  Hon. Lord Prosser, QC, (Chairman)—Edinburgh

  Professor Gordon Benson—London

  Miss Kirsteen Borland—Cardross, Dumbarton

  Mr. William A. Cadell—Linlithgow, West Lothian

  Mrs. Kathleen Dalyell—Linlithgow, West Lothian

  Dr. Deborah Howard—Cambridge

  Mr. Gerald Ogilvie-Laing—Conon Bridge, Ross and Cromarty

  Mr. Allen S. Matheson—Glasgow

  Professor Tom Ridley—West Linton, Borders

  Mr. Robert R. Steedman—Cupar, Fife

  Professor Robin G. M. Webster—Aberdeen

  Mr. H. Roland Wedgwood—Edinburgh

  Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of(a) finished consultant episodes and (b) private patient finished consultant episodes in Scotland in each year since 1989–90.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]: Activity in Scotland is not recorded in the form of finished consultant episodes. The number of discharges for finished consultant episodes in Scotland is therefore not centrally available.

  The following table sets out acute sector hospital discharges for NHS patients. Figures on private patients are not routinely collected.

  Patient category

  Financial year

  Private

  Other

  Total

  1989–90

  1,301

  868,743

  870,044

  1990–91

  1,430

  898,013

  899,443

  1991–92

  1,567

  929,852

  931,419

  1992–93

  1,209

  995,572

  996,781

  Private Health Treatment
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total income from private patients in the NHS in Scotland in each year since 1989–90;

  (2) what was the income from private treatment of each trust hospital in each year since 1990–91.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply about the total income which I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 10 February 1994 at column 340.

  The first two NHS trust hospitals in Scotland were set up from April 1992 and the income from private patients was as follows:

  NHS Trusts

  1992–93 £

  South Ayrshire

  89,000

  The Royal Aberdeen Hospitals

  531,000

  Figures are not available for 1993–94.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed in slaughterhouses in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: The information requested, for the years available, is set out in the table:

  Year

  Employees in employment in Slaughterhouses

  1984

  1,500

  1987

  1,400

  1989

  1,200

  1991

  1,500

  Source: Census of Employment, NOMIS

EMPLOYMENT

  Health and Safety
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy that section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 shall no longer be used as a reason for not disclosing information to the public; and if he will make a statement on the implications for the Health and Safety Executive of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) would not normally withhold information where it is allowed to disclose it. Section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 prohibits the disclosure of information without the consent of the person providing it, except where disclosure would be for the purposes of the functions of the HSC, the Health and Safety Executive or other enforcing authorities. The HSC makes full use of these exceptions to the prohibition.

  Under the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 the HSE is obliged to make available environmental. information in those areas where it has environmental responsibilities, subject to withholding any information that falls within one or more of the exempted categories in regulation 4.

  Northumberland Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what Government grants were given to the Northumberland training and enterprise council in each year since 1990.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The table lists funding given to Northumberland training and enterprise council since 1990.

  Year

  Budget £ million

  Additional performance-related funding £ million

  1990–91

  17

  n/a

  1991–92

  15·3

  n/a

  1992–93

  14·9

  2·0

  1993–94

  14·2

  0·5

  1 TEC operated from September 1990.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fish Farms (Pollution)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list those pesticides, including dichlorvos, she has so far identified as major toxic chemicals polluting the North sea from United Kingdom fish farms; and if she will make a statement on their control and their effect on the biodiversity of the North sea.

  Mr. Soames
  All veterinary medicines and pesticides are subject to strict approval arrangements which take into account their potential effect on the environment. All direct discharges, including from fish farms, containing potentially toxic substances are controlled through a system of consents.

  We have no evidence of chemicals used in fish farms affecting the biodiversity of the North sea. In line with ministerial North sea agreements, the United Kingdom is acting to reduce the discharge of the most toxic and polluting substances, including dichlorvos, to the North sea. A full quality status report on the North sea will be published by the Oslo and Paris Commissions later this year for the North sea conference ministerial meeting in 1995.

  In addition, the Ministry carries out a programme of monitoring of the aquatic environment for a range of metals and organic compounds in fish, shellfish, seawater and sediments. The results are published annually.

  Blackcurrants
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she is taking to ensure a level playing field in the market for blackcurrants in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  The main competition for United Kingdom blackcurrant growers comes from Eastern Europe. Trade is governed by agreements between the European Community and Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. These provide for minimum import prices for fresh and frozen blackcurrants from these countries and were initially the subject of faulty implementing legislation by the Commission. Following strong pressure from the United Kingdom, including an intervention by my right hon. Friend the Minister with Commissioner Steichen, the legislation now reflects the Europe agreements and gives the Commission the power to manage the market as provided for in them.

  Regional Flood Defence Committees
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the current chairmen of the regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority are farmers and landowners.

  Mr. Jack
  All nine current chairmen of the regional flood defence committees in England have farming or landowning interests.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will select the chairmen for appointment to the regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority who will serve from July.
  65
  Mr. Jack
  It is expected that chairmen-designate of the nine regional flood defence committees in England will be appointed within the next two months.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria she will use to select the chairmen for appointment to the regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority who will serve from July.

  Mr. Jack
  Under section 10 of the Water Resources Act 1991 those responsible for appointing the chairman or a member of a regional flood defence committee are required to have regard to the desirability of appointing a person who has experience of, and has shown capacity in, some matter relevant to the functions of the committee. These criteria will be used in selecting the chairmen of the nine committees in England.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the appointments she makes to regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority reflect the priorities set out in the flood and coastal defence strategy.

  Mr. Jack
  All members of the NRA's regional flood defence committees in England are expected to take account of the priorities set out in the MAFF-Welsh Office flood and coastal defence strategy in their work on the committees.

  Essex Coast Environmentally Sensitive Area
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she expects to implement the Essex coast ESA; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I plan to launch the Essex coast ESA on 16 March.

  Pigs
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what progress has been made with the implementation of the Welfare of Pigs Regulations 1991;

  (2) how many dry sows in the United Kingdom are currently housed in sow stalls or tethers; what plans she has to phase out such systems by 1 January 1999; and what action will be taken against producers who fail to comply with this deadline.

  Mr. Soames
  The Welfare of Pigs Regulations 1991 prohibit the keeping of sows in close confinement stalls or tethers on agricultural land unless the stalls and tethers were in use on that land before 1 October 1991. This temporary exemption will end on 1 January 1999 when the use of all such stalls or tethers will be prohibited. The regulations are enforced by the state veterinary service and producers who fail to comply can expect to be prosecuted.

  It is estimated that approximately two thirds of the indoor breeding heard of 640,000 sows is now housed in alternative systems. To assist the industry, this Department is funding a programme of research into alternative systems of husbandry. It has also contributed to the work of the pig welfare advisory group and financed the publication of a series of nine booklets and associated workshops on alternative systems.

  Sheep Exports
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all sheep exported from the United Kingdom to Spain for further fattening are subsequently killed in EC-approved abattoirs.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Council directive 64/433/EEC as amended, on health conditions for the production and marketing of fresh meat, requires member states to ensure that meat placed on the market for human consumption has been obtained from premises which meet the conditions laid down in that directive. This means that sheep which are exported to Spain for further fattening and subsequently placed on the market for human consumption must be slaughtered in approved abattoirs.

  Family Food Bills
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will estimate by how much the average food bill of the average family of four is inflated as a direct result of the common agricultural policy, giving figures separately for(a) dairy products, (b) sugar, (c) beef, (d) cereals, (e) rice, 09 fruit and vegetables, (g) potatoes, (h) oilseeds, (i) linseed, (j) olive oil, (k) wine and (l) tobacco;

  (2) if she will estimate by how much the average food bill of the average family of four is inflated as a direct result of the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Grocott) on 11 January, at columns 65–6. For the reasons given, it is not possible to estimate the effect of the CAP on the food bill for individual commodities.

  Farmers Charter
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation she has received concerning the preparation of a farmers charter.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers which I and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 2 February,Official Report, column 735, and 3 February, Official Report, column 861.

  Potato Producers
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will set out the material available to her on the information on state aid provided to potato producers in other European Union member states.

  Mr. Jack
  Since November 1991 the EC Commission has published in the C series of the Official Journal brief details of the state aids, including our own potato marketing scheme, to which it has raised no objection. Those in other member states are summarised:

  Aids to potato processors and producers in the EC

  Denmark

  1. 1988 expenditure and 1990 draft budget for potato trade association funds.

  Adopted: 30 October 1991. Published: OJ C 18/8 of 24 January 1992.

  67

  2. Aid for potato quality control.

  Adopted: 25 March 1992. Published: OJ C 155/7 of 20 June 1992.

  Italy

  1. Aid to support the horticulture sector (potatoes).

  Adopted: 21 January 1992. Published: OJ C 185/6 of 22 July 1992.

  2. Special intervention by AIMA for new potatoes for consumption.

  Adopted: 31 August 1992. Published: OJ C 286/9 of 4 November 1992.

  3. AIMA national programme for private storage of potatoes for consumption 1992 marketing year.

  Adopted: 15 October 1992. Published: OJ C 316/6 of 3 December 1992.

  4. AIMA programme for the implementation of the inter-branch agreement on the processing of potatoes (1992 programme).

  Adopted: 19 January 1993. Published: OJ C 104/5 of 15 April 1993.

  5. Implementation of the inter-branch agreement on the processing of potatoes (1993 marketing year).

  Adopted: 2 July 1993. Published: OJ C 256/11 of 21 September 1993.

  Luxembourg

  1. Assistance to farmers suffering from natural disasters in 1991 (including potato producers).

  Adopted: 11 March 1992. Published: OJ C 185/6 of 22 July 1992.

  France

  1. Aid to compensate producers of new potatoes who have agreed to keep part of their harvest off the market.

  Adopted: 24 November 1993. Published: OJ C 42/15 of 12 February 1994.

  2. Aid for producers of potatoes for human consumption.

  Adopted: 24 November 1993. Published: OJ C 42/17 of 12 February 1994.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much her Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if she will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Jack
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is committed to making every effort to help with the provision of child care provided a value for money case can be made to support the need for such facilities. Currently, there are some 48 nursery places for children aged between six months and five years, and some 100 holiday play scheme places for children aged between four and 14 years.

  The Ministry has a purpose-built 40-place nursery at its Guildford site and a 30-place nursery is due to open at its new King's Pool site in York this autumn. Also, a 33-place nursery is under construction at the central science laboratory's new site at Sand Hutton, near York, which is due to open in 1996.

  In addition a survey is being carried out at all offices in the Ministry currently without child care facilities to assess the level of demand. All options for child care will be considered including general advice on facilities available locally and participation in nurseries and play schemes run by other organisations.

  The amount spent on child care is not available centrally.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of public appointments made by her Department in 1993 were of women; and if she will make a statement.
  68
  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 28 February 1994]: The percentage of appointments made by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food held by women has increased from 10 per cent. in 1991 to 18 per cent. in 1993. Our aim is to increase this to 25 per cent. in 1996. If achieved, this would represent an increase of just under 40 per cent. compared to 1993 figures.

  Group Actions
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what stage the fundamental review of the rules governing group actions has reached; and when he expects the report and recommendations arising from the review to be published.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  On 16 December last year the Lord Chancellor announced the terms of reference for his Department's fundamental review of expenditure. This will cover all areas of the Department's business, including civil litigation, and will report to the Lord Chancellor in June. As any conclusions and recommendations resulting from this review will clearly have implications for group actions, procedures with regard to such actions are being examined as part of the review.

  The results of fundamental reviews are not commonly made public. Any action which the Lord Chancellor decides to take as a result of the review's conclusions will, however, be preceded by public consultation in the usual way.

  Magistracy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the magistracy is made more representative in terms of gender, race and social class.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster seek, through central initiatives and through their local advisory committees, to ensure that, so far as possible, candidates who are put forward for appointment to the magistracy reflect the local community they will serve in terms of such factors as age, gender, ethnic origin, political affiliation and employment background. Notices are placed in the press and local initiatives are undertaken such as letters to organisations and court open days to encourage suitable men and women from all walks of life to put themselves forward.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the political balance of magistrates within west Yorkshire.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The political balance of magistrates within west Yorkshire on the latest information available is as follows:

  West Yorkshire

  Conservative

  572

  Labour

  397

  Liberal/Democrat

  220

  Independent/Not known

  163

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the members of the committees responsible for recommending magistrates in west Yorkshire.
  69
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The members of the eight advisory committees responsible for recomending candidates for the magistracy in west Yorkshire are as follows:

  BRADFORD

  Chairman:

  M. Bendig, Esq., JP

  Members:

  M. Spooner, Esq., JP

  Mrs. M. S. Barker, JP

  J. D. Birrell, Esq.

  J. D. Godward, Esq., JP

  Mrs. K. M. Lee, JP

  R. Singh, Esq.

  J. Heslop, Esq., JP

  P. Clough, Esq., JP

  Miss S. F. A. Walker, JP

  Mrs. P. Wilson, JP

  KEIGHLEY

  Chairman:

  K. Davy, Esq., OBE, JP

  Members:

  Mrs. S. R. Montague, JP

  J. Oldfield, Esq., JP

  D. L. Wilberforce, Esq.

  A. Sharpe, Esq., JP

  D. Hanson, Esq., JP

  Mrs. S. O. Duckitt, JP

  Mrs. B. M. L. Collins, JP

  Mrs. S. Morton

  W. I. Thompson, Esq., JP

  CALDERDALE

  Chairman:

  Mrs. M. Berry, JP

  Members:

  Dr. B. P. Fernandez

  D. R. Marshall, Esq., JP

  Mrs. J. Braithwaite, JP

  K. Edmonson, JP

  Mrs. P. Sheerman, JP

  E. Crossley, Esq., JP

  J. C. Webster, Esq., JP

  Mrs. E. M. Bavidge, JP

  G. R. Lawrence, Esq., JP

  Mrs. M. E. Sykes, JP

  BATLEY AND DEWSBURY

  Chairman:

  Mrs. B. A. Ripley JP

  Members:

  D. Popplewell Esq. JP

  J. D. Williams Esq. JP

  Mrs. K. J. Robinson JP

  D. Green Esq. JP

  Dr. A. R. Rajpura Esq.

  J. B. Atkinson Esq. JP

  Mrs. E. Wildey JP

  HUDDERSFIELD

  Chairman:

  D. A. Wright Esq. JP

  Members:

  A. M. Pearson Esq. JP

  J. R. Rotchell Esq. JP

  Mrs. R. J. Neary JP

  Mrs. J. M. Netherwood JP

  S. Haigh Esq. JP

  J. Akhtar Esq. JP

  Mrs. C. Shepherd JP

  Mrs. S. M. Nutbrown JP

  P. S. Blakey Esq. JP

  B. Hebblethwaite Esq. JP

  Mrs. N. M. Wise

  LEEDS

  Chairman:

  H. Swain Esq. JP

  70
  Members:

  M. T. Elliott Esq. JP

  Mrs. C. M. Thomas JP

  Mrs. M. R. Johnson JP

  R. A. Smith Esq.

  K. M. Brumfitt Esq. JP

  Mrs. E. A. Taylor JP

  Miss A. Caffoor JP

  Mrs. B. Lyons

  Mrs. N. Jacobs JP

  D. Tempest Esq. JP

  PONTEFRACT

  Chairman:

  R. Bailey Esq. JP

  Members:

  J. Moody Esq. JP

  J. T. K. Hopwood Esq. JP

  B. Crosland Esq. JP

  Ms M. Woffinden JP

  Mrs. B. J. Macaskill JP

  Miss A. Limbert Jp

  G. W. Smith Esq.

  WAKEFIELD

  Chairman:

  R. Young Esq. JP

  Members:

  H. Asquith Esq. JP

  B. Wren Esq. JP

  Mrs. S. A. Richards JP

  Mrs. M. A. Holmes JP

  Mrs. J. M. Eyles JP

  G. Beaumont Esq. JP

  R. A. Pritchard Esq.

  Benzodiazepine Cases
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received, and from whom, concerning the handling of Benzodiazepine litigation cases by the Legal Aid Board.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have received numerous representations about decisions made by the board in the Benzodiazepine litigation from other Members of Parliament, members of the public and from solicitors on behalf of their clients.

  Pepper v. Hart
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to the implications, including cost of litigation, of the ruling in the case of Pepper v. Hart.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The implications of the decision have been considered in detail by an inter-departmental working group, and a number of practical steps for the avoidance or correction of mistakes or ambiguities arising out of ministerial statements during the passage of legislation are being put into practice, for example by guidance to Departments on legislative procedures. Issues concerning the cost of litigation are being taken up with legal practitioners' governing bodies throughout the United Kingdom.

  County Courts
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he will take to ensure that cases, listed for county court hearings on a
  71
  particular day, are heard on that day; if he will consider a system of compensation in circumstances of failure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has no specific plans to alter the present system of listing cases in the county court. During the last few years, 82 county court trail centres have been established which have concentrated resources and provided better listing systems. Listing officers in those centres are expected to remain in post for at least a year. Listing, however, is reliant on the accuracy of time estimates provided by the parties, the number of door-of-the-court settlements and the priority which must necessarily be given to any urgent applications, particularly in the family area. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the trial centres are continuing their efforts to find more efficient ways of dealing with cases.

  Departmental policy on compensation was set out in a parliamentary answer on 28 January 1987, Official Report, column 246, and remains unchanged. The Lord Chancellor is prepared to consider claims for ex-gratia payments if a party has suffered loss as a result of the negligence of court staff. This does not, however, cover the failure of a case to be heard as a result of the listing process which is carried out under judicial direction.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many solicitors' firms have(a) applied for and (b) been granted legal aid franchises.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There have been 1,425 applications for franchises. No franchises will be granted until 1 August 1994.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has for amending the rules governing legal aid franchises; and if he will publish the proposed new rules.

  Table 1—Number of offices receiving payment for legal aid1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Criminal Matters

  Magistrates Courts

  8,350

  8,247

  7,745

  7,417

  7,011

  Court Duty Solicitor

  3,601

  3,569

  3,429

  3,383

  3,302

  Police Station Duty Solicitor

  5,389

  5,392

  5,327

  5,368

  5,385

  Civil Matters

  High Courts

  Matrimonial

  3,229

  2,725

  2,597

  2,584

  2,539

  Other

  5,427

  5,459

  5,527

  5,870

  6,629

  County Courts

  Matrimonial

  8,779

  8,524

  8,422

  8,396

  8,584

  Other

  8,253

  8,143

  8,159

  8,262

  8,647

  Magistrates Courts

  6,817

  6,760

  6,500

  6,407

  5,866

  Green Form

  9,796

  9,785

  9,390

  9,341

  9,502

  Total

  11,558

  11,455

  11,125

  11,060

  11,317

  1 These figures exclude the number of offices receiving payment in respect of criminal legal aid in the higher courts, where the information is not collected and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many employees of the Manchester legal aid board have been(a) made redundant or (b) asked to take voluntary redundancy this year and in each of the previous three years.
  72
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Before franchising comes into effect, changes will be needed to the legal aid regulations. These will be laid before Parliament in the usual way. The terms of the contract between the Legal Aid Board and those who are granted franchises are still the subject of discussion between the Legal Aid Board and the Law Society.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to restrict legal aid provision to those solicitors' firms which have successfully applied for legal aid franchises.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many solicitors' firms have ceased to take on legally aided clients for(a) criminal matters and (b) civil matters in each of the last five years; and what representations have been made to him as to the reasons for the cessation.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Figures on the number of solicitors' firms which have ceased taking on legally aided clients are not available. The table shows the number of offices receiving payment from the Legal Aid Board for each of the last five years, broken down into criminal matters and civil matters. The number of offices does not equate to the number of solicitors' firms.

  The Lord Chancellor has received representations from the Law Society and from a number of solicitors arguing that low fee rates for legal aid work are causing solicitors to cease undertaking this work. However, the number of offices which do receive payment for legal aid work has risen as a proportion of all solicitors offices from 68 per cent. in 1988–89 to 82 per cent. in 1992–93.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  (a) None and (b) none. There are, however, 11 redundant posts at the Manchester area office and volunteers are being sought for redundancy up to that number.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of the total number of legal aid boards employees have been(a) told that they will

  73
  be made redundant or (b) asked to take voluntary redundancy this year and in each of the previous three years; if he will list the names of the relevant boards and the numbers involved in categories (a) and (b) at each; and what is the total number affected nationally.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  (a) Nil. (b) The board is looking for 139 volunteers across all area offices as follows: London 40, Brighton three., Reading three, Bristol 10, Cardiff four, Birmingham six, Manchester 11, Newcastle 15, Leeds eight, Nottingham three, Cambridge nine, Chester nine and Liverpool 18. There have been no voluntary redundancies in the previous three years in area offices.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the job titles and the civil service grades of all the. Legal Aid Board employees who have either been told that they will be made redundant or have been asked to take voluntary redundancy at(a) Manchester legal aid board and (b) other legal aid boards.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No Legal Aid Board employees have been told that they are redundant. Volunteers have been asked for in a range of jobs from grade 7 to administrative assistant.

  (a) In the Manchester area office the grades from which volunteers have been requested are grade 7, SEO, higher administrative officer and secretary. (b) In the rest of the country the grades from which volunteers have been requested are from grade 7 to administrative assistant, but the grades affected vary from office to office.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many representations he has received and from whom, concerning redundancies among the staff of legal aid boards.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what costing procedures his Department has carried out as regards a possible increase in costs to the legal aid fund as the result of a reduction in the number of legal aid appeals certifying committees, due to more applications being allowed by legal aid certifying officers; and what plans he has for publishing the results of those costing procedures.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No costing has been carried out as no reduction in the number of area committees dealing with appeals against refusals of legal aid is anticipated. The frequency with which area committees meet fluctuates from time to time in accordance with the numbers of appeals made.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to close down any of local legal aid offices; and in relation to how many of these offices he has such plans.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Legal Aid Board has no such plans.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether instructions have been issued to(a) Manchester legal aid board or (b) other legal aid boards concerning a reduction in the numbers of legal aid appeals certifying committees; to how many legal
  74
  boards such instructions have been issued; what representations he has received in response; and how many such committees he is seeking to dispense with nationally.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No instructions have been issued to the Manchester area office of the Legal Aid Board, or to any of the board's other area offices, to reduce the number of area committees dealing with appeals against refusals of legal aid.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he or any of his officials have suggested the closure of(a) some or (b) all local legal aid offices as part of legal aid policy.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  (a) No and (b) no.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Orthopaedic Surgery
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were on the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery for each health board area in each year since 1988; and what is the current figure.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not held in the form requested. In-patient treatment in the trauma and orthopaedic surgery specialty is available only in the Eastern and Western board areas. It is not possible to give a breakdown of the total numbers waiting by their board of residence. The total number of people on the waiting lists for treatment in the trauma and orthopaedic specialty in Northern Ireland is as follows:

  Ordinary1 admissions

  Day cases2

  March 1988

  4,604

  —

  March 1989

  5,119

  36

  March 1990

  3,603

  33

  March 1991

  3,738

  22

  March 1992

  3,607

  30

  March 1993

  3,127

  728

  December 1993

  3,190

  765

  Note:

  Information relating to waiting times for day cases was not collected centrally until 1 April 1988.

  1 The ordinary admissions totals may include some patients waiting for day case admission, which cannot be separately identified.

  2 Increase in day case figures between March 1992 and March 1993 was as a result of Musgrave Park Hospital first being able to identify day cases separately.

  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were on the waiting lists for their first appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon in each year since 1988, in each health board area; and what are the current figures.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not held in the form requested. The total number of people on the waiting lists for their first out-patient appointment in the trauma and orthopaedic specialty in Northern Ireland is as follows:

  Number

  31 March 19931

  10,838

  31 December 1993

  12,545

  1 Information relating to waiting times for first out-patient appointments in the trauma and orthopaedic specialty was not collected centrally until 1992–93.

  75
  It is important to view the numbers waiting for their first appointment against the numbers seen for the first time in a 12-month period. A total of 26,699 first appointments were seen in hospitals in the Eastern board area in 1992–93 and 5,307 in hospitals in the Western board area.

  Power Failures
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the electricity power failure in Northern Ireland on 3 February; and what steps are being taken to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The causes of the failure are being investigated by Northern Ireland Electricity plc. The director general of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland and I have asked the company for a report on the matter and on the measures being taken by Northern Ireland Electricity plc to prevent a recurrence.

  Glass-fronted Fires
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost of maintaining glass-fronted fires, including chimney relining in Housing Executive homes, in the Greater Belfast area, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I understand from the chief executive that the information which is readily available is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Greater Belfast area

  Belfast region

  1988–89

  1—

  0·392

  1989–90

  1—

  1·066

  1990–91

  1—

  1·035

  1991–92

  2·025

  1·471

  1992–93

  2·859

  2·082

  1 Information prior to 1991–92 on the Greater Belfast area which includes Housing Executive, Belfast districts 1 to 7, Castlereagh districts 1 and 2, Lisburn districts 2 and 3 and Newtownabbey district 1 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Road Projects
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by start date the major road building and road improvement schemes in each roads division in Northern Ireland in the current year and for the next five years, indicating his estimate of the cost.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The information is as follows:

  1. Major works schemes: 1993–94

  Start Date

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Ballemena Division

  September

  Killead By-Pass

  1993

  0·9

  January

  B58 New Line

  1994

  0·9

  Coleraine Division

  September

  Greenmount Link: Stage 3 and 4

  1993

  0·4

  76

  Start Date

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Craigavon Division

  November

  Newry By-Pass: Stage 2

  1993

  4·4

  Newry By-Pass: Stage 3 Bridge

  March 1994

  2·1

  2. Major works 5 year programme 1994–99

  Ballymena Division

  Northern Distributor Ballymena

  1996–97

  2·2

  A26 Antrim-Ballymena: Stage 2

  1996–97

  2·7

  A2 Silverstream/Ravenhill, Canifergus

  1997·98

  2–8

  A8 Belfast-Lame Road Dualling: Stage 1

  1997–98

  2·5

  Belfast Division

  Forster Green Belfast

  1995–96

  1·6

  Purdysburn Road, Belfast: Stage 1

  1995–96

  0·8

  Ballymaconaghy Road, Belfast: Stage 2

  1996–97

  0·6

  Balmoral Avenue/Malone Road, Belfast

  1996–97

  0·4

  Purdysburn Road, Belfast: Stage 2

  1997–98

  1·6

  Belfast Inner Ring Road (Southern Section)

  1997–98

  3·0

  A2 Shore Road, Belfast: Stage 4

  1997–98

  0·9

  Year in which work is due to start

  Total estimated cost (£ m)

  Coleraine division

  Strand Road, Londonderry: Stage 2

  1997–98

  1·5

  A2 Limavady By-pass: Stage 1

  1997–98

  3·0

  Craigavon division

  Newry By-pass: Stage 3 (Roadworks)

  1994–95

  5·5

  Downpatrick division

  Church Street/Scotch Street, Downpatrick

  1995–96

  1·7

  Balloo Road, Bangor: Stage 3

  1996–97

  0·7

  Comber By-pass: Stage 2

  1997–98

  2·9

  Omagh division

  Omagh Through-pass: Stage 2A (Bridge)

  1994–95

  0·4

  A5 Burndennett

  1994–95

  1·3

  A5 Magheramason

  1994–95

  0·6

  Omagh Through-pass: Stage 2B

  1995–96

  3·2

  Anne Street/Thomas Bridge, Dungannon

  1996–97

  0·8

  A29 Carland Bridge, Dungannon

  1996–97

  2·2

  A5 Leckpatrick

  1996–97

  0·8

  A5 Garvaghy

  1997–98

  0·4

  The implementation of those schemes is subject to the continued availability of finance and the completion of the statutory processes.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the road bridges which are to be improved and the bridge strengthening and replacement programme, giving the start dates and costs.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  An annual programme of work is developed on the basis of the continuing assessment of bridges. The current programme for the 1994–95 financial year is:

  Location by Roads Service Division

  Estimated Cost (£000's)

  Ballymena

  Downshire Bridge, Carrickfergus

  790

  Widdel Bridge

  35

  Mills Engines Bridge

  85

  77

  Location by Roads Service Division

  Estimated Cost (£000's)

  Gallwilly Bridge

  55

  Belfast

  Ballyregan Water Culvert

  54

  Millvale Flyover

  72

  Jordanstown Railway Bridge

  235

  Monkstown Halt Bridge

  185

  Irish Hill Road Bridge

  13

  Castle Road Culvert

  13

  Tillysburn Subway B

  13

  Tillysburn Subway A

  20

  Victoria Park Subway

  Ballylinney Burn Bridge

  Connswater River Bridge

  2,020

  Summerhill Road Bridge

  17

  Ballygomartin Bridge/Forth River

  81

  Whitehouse Park Bridge

  103

  Windsor Park Footbridge

  104

  Loop River Culvert

  60

  Coleraine

  Swanns Bridge

  1,450

  Mullarts Bridge

  20

  Coshquin Bridge

  20

  Cahery Bridge

  15

  Park Bridge

  20

  Big Drain Bridge

  30

  Ballyrathan Bridge

  10

  North Ballinteer Bridge

  40

  Owenbeg Bridge

  15

  Macosquin

  20

  Faughanvale Bridge

  8

  Milltown Bridge

  12

  Dunderg Bridges

  15

  Two Bridges Bridge

  25

  Mettican Bridge

  25

  Gelvin Bridge

  270

  Kilrea Bann Bridge

  40

  Craigavon

  Aghagallon Bridge

  22

  Drumatine Bridge

  15

  Coolsallagh Bridge

  26

  Drumgaw Bridge

  20

  Connolly's Bridge

  10

  Clay Road Retaining Wall

  20

  Chapel Road Retaining Wall

  13

  Bridges Nos. 27, 29, 140, 1198 and 1398

  172

  Bridges Nos. 51, 73, 83, 316 and 2020

  290

  Downpatrick

  Tullybrannigan Road Bridge, N'castle

  120

  Ballyskeagh Bridge

  845

  Dunmurry Lane (M1) Bridge

  Glenavy Bridge

  220

  Omagh

  Burndennett Bridge

  450

  Minnowburns Bridge

  180

  Cordromedy Bridge

  65

  Ardtrea Bridge

  250

  Bridge No. 742

  80

  Bridge No. 1432

  40

  Green Bridge

  30

  Carrs Bridge

  65

  Pollenroe Bridge

  30

  Housing (Design Guide)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take to consult district councils on his Department's design guide on housing.
  78
  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Department wrote to district councils among other interested bodies when it started work on the rural design guide last year. The letter explained the purpose of the proposed guide and asked for comments. Seven councils have replied and their comments are being taken into account in the production of the guide.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Postgraduate Scientists
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to implement the new arrangements for training postgraduate scientists outlined in the science and technology White Paper.

  Mr. David Davis
  Last month, the Office of Science and Technology published a consultation paper on arrangements for making a master's year the normal starting point for research students supported by the research councils. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster also announced extra funding for industrially orientated co-operative awards in science and engineering studentships in his allocation of the science budget for 1994–95.

  Citizens Charters
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the success of the charters for which he is responsible.

  Mr. David Davis
  Delivering charters is the responsibility of individual public service providers. But details of achievements in health, education, housing, transport and many more public services will be published in the citizens charter second report later this month.

  Open Government
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many constituency visits he has made concerning open government.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None.

  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to ensure that the ombudsman has the resources necessary to discharge his functions under the code of practice on open government.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  It is important that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration should be properly resourced to oversee the implementation of the code of practice. Subject to parliamentary approval, the PCA's current provision is planned to be increased by 14·75 per cent. in 1993–94 and then an additional 85·5 per cent. in 1994–95. This increased provision, which has been broadly carried forward into 1995–96 and 1996–97 as part of the 1993 public expenditure survey, also covers additional staff, their accommodation and administrative costs to match the increasing work loads for the PCA and health service commissioners as more complaints are being referred by MPs and received direct from members of the public.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the practice of fast streaming in the civil service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I announced a review of the fast-stream entry on 18 February,Official Report, columns 1010–11.

  Science Research
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures are proposed to ensure equitable geographic distribution of science research facilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Decisions on the siting of publicly funded research facilities are taken on their individual merits.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans his Department has to encourage private sector partnerships with university science departments and university research institutes.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the 2 February debate in the House on the research council orders, during which I set out my immediate plans for encouraging private sector partnerships with the science and engineering base,Official Report, column 895, through, for example, the "realising our potential" awards —ROPA—grants scheme and the industry-led CASE postgraduate studentship awards.

  At my request, the Director General of the Research Councils is embarking on a fundamental examination of the research council programmes in order to advise on the overall health of the science and engineering base, and on the action required to take forward the policies set out in the White Paper "Realising our Potential: A Strategy for Science and Technology"—Cm 2250, May 1993.

  Human Gene Technology
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about Government control of human gene technology.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Certain aspects of human gene technology are controlled under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, which are designed to protect human health and safety and the environment from genetically modified organisms used in contained conditions such as laboratories or industrial facilities. Under these regulations, all persons undertaking such work must conduct a risk assessment of the activity. This assessment will determine the risk classification of, and the safety precautions required for, the work. The independent Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification is regularly consulted on higher risk projects.

  All premises where work with genetically modified organisms takes place must be registered with the Health and Safety Executive. The regulations also contain provisions for inspection and enforcement under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.

  All proposals for gene therapy research on human subjects are considered by the Gene Therapy Advisory
  80
  Committee, established in 1993 by United Kingdom Health Ministers in response to the recommendation of the Committee on the Ethics of Gene Therapy. It advises on the acceptability of such proposals on ethical grounds, taking account of the scientific merits of proposals and potential benefits and risks.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer by the Prime Minister on 13 December,Official Report, column 700, what assessment he has made of the effects of subsidiarity on the EC acquired rights directive and the Government's market-testing and competitive tendering programme.

  Mr. David Davis
  The Government welcome the European Commission's review of the directive, under subsidiarity, and hope that this will remove the damaging effects it can have on competitiveness and jobs—in particular where it has been inappropriately applied to contracting out.

  However, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 which implement the directive in United Kingdom law have not prevented Departments from market testing or otherwise examining around £1·1 billion-worth of services to the end of December 1993.

  Agencies (Management)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place a copy of the Trosa report into the setting up of executive agencies and the evaluation of the civil service reforms in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I did so on 1 March and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans),Official Report, columns 671–72.

HEALTH

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

  Mr. Sackville
  In addition to those listed in "Public Bodies 1993", my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, or Ministers acting on her behalf, appoints the chairman and members of the following bodies:

  Central Research and Development Committee for the NHS;

  Research and Development Strategy;

  Dental Vocational Training Authority;

  National Advisory Body (which guides and co-ordinates the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland);

  NHS Supplies Authority;

  National Breastfeeding Working Group;

  Nutrition Task Force;

  Pharmacists' Review Panel;

  Vocational Training Appeal Body.

  My right hon. Friend appoints chairmen of the London implementation group, the joint supervisory board of the NHS centre for coding and classification and the national case mix office.
  81
  In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible for appointing the expert members of the steering group on the microbiological safety of food. Some appointments to the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine and the General Dental Council's dental auxiliaries committee are made jointly with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Appointments are also made to the three main "Health of the Nation" advisory groups. These are the wider health working group, The Chief Medical Officer's "Health of the Nation" working group and the chief executive's NHS implementation group.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State also appoints 26 bodies of special trustees to administer the trust funds of various pre-1974 boards of governors and university hospitals which chose to keep their individual funds.

  Pacemaker Leads
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients with(a) Siemens and (b) Medtronic pacing leads which have been subject to warnings have had the leads replaced or inactivated.

  Information based upon data returned to the national pacemaker database

  Pacemaker lead

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Number of pacemaker lead implants

  Medtronic 4004

  0

  0

  18

  60

  32

  3

  0

  0

  Medtronic 4004M

  0

  2

  19

  7

  192

  196

  30

  0

  Medtronic 4082

  0

  0

  0

  142

  619

  515

  1

  0

  Siemens 1010T

  84

  332

  591

  989

  679

  19

  7

  0

  Siemens 1050T

  3

  2

  56

  745

  1,235

  13

  0

  0

  Siemens T93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Number of deaths of patients treated with pacemaker lead

  Medtronic 4004

  0

  0

  7

  11

  5

  0

  0

  0

  Medtronic 4004M

  0

  0

  0

  5

  14

  21

  1

  0

  Medtronic 4082

  0

  0

  0

  12

  35

  16

  0

  0

  Siemens 1010T

  7

  34

  62

  74

  68

  0

  0

  0

  Siemens 1050T

  0

  0

  0

  11

  68

  64

  1

  0

  Siemens T93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Note: None of the deaths given above for either the Siemens or Medtronic pacemaker leads was lead-related. (Information based upon data returned to the National Pacemaker Database).

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recommendations her Department has made to pacing centres and follow-up centres about the incidence of failures in polyurethane leads.

  Mr. Sackville
  Advice issued is contained in pacemaker technical notes Nos. 48, and 49, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been given regarding the purchase of polyurethane leads by(a) her Department and (b) the medical devices directorate.

  Mr. Sackville
  The medical devices directorate, a division of the Department of Health, gives no specific advice on the purchase of polyurethane leads. However, purchasers are strongly recommended to buy medical devices only from companies registered under the Department's manufacturer registration scheme.
  82
  Mr. Sackville
  According to information sent to the national pacemaker database, 224 Siemens pacing leads, and 39 Medtronic pacing leads subject to warnings, have been replaced or inactivated in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been implanted with(a) Sorin 580T silicone pacemaker leads, (b) Talectronics 330258158 pacemaker leads, (c) Talectronics 033301 pacemaker leads, (d) Medtronic 4004 pacing leads, (e) Medtronic 4004M pacing leads, (f) Medtronic 4082 pacing leads, (g) Siemens 1010T pacing leads, (h) Siemens 1050T pacing leads and (i) Siemens prototype T93 since 1987; and how many have died in each category, in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no 580T pacemaker lead made by Sorin Biomedica, and no records exist of pacemaker leads with the model numbers 330258158 and 033301.

  Information requested for the Medtronic and Siemens pacemaker leads, based upon data returned to the national pacemaker database, is shown in the table.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what review her Department has conducted of the use of polyurethane in pacing leads; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  No formal review has been conducted. The Department is continually up-dated by the national pacemaker database which analyses statistics on the use of all types of implantable pacemaker leads.

  Faulty Medical Devices
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last had discussions with the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America on the subject of faulty medical devices; and which devices were discussed.

  Mr. Sackville
  No formal discussions have been held with the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America on the subject of faulty medical devices. No central record is kept of the frequent informal contacts which are made about a variety of subjects associated with a wide range of medical devices.

  Pacemaker Database
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimation she has made of the accuracy of the national pacemaker database.

  Mr. Sackville
  Overall data capture was last estimated by the national pacemaker database to be 88·8 per cent. in 1992, based upon an annual nation-wide audit. Data accuracy is dependent upon that supplied, on a voluntary basis, by the implanting and follow-up centres. The database has a system for data validation, which has recently led to a re-classification of some of the data.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 618, listing pacing and pacing follow-up centres, what information she has on hospitals not on the pacemaker database, carrying out pacing or pacing follow-up.

  Mr. Sackville
  Hospitals are encouraged to inform both the national pacemaker database and the Department of Health, when either pacing or follow-up activities are initiated. Information held relies upon this notification.

  Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to move or relocate the Hammersmith hospital.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to discourage a merger between Hammersmith hospital and Charing Cross hospital; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Members to the statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made on 10 February.

  Oncology
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospitals comply with the target of radical radiotherapy involving complex treatment planning within two weeks laid down in the guidelines of the Joint Council for Clinical Oncology;

  (2) how many hospitals comply with the target of urgent palliative radiotherapy within 48 hours laid down in the guidelines of the Joint Council for Clinical Oncology;

  (3) how many hospitals comply with the target of urgent radiotherapy or chemotherapy within 24 hours laid down in the guidelines of the Joint Council for Clinical Oncology;

  (4) how many hospitals comply with the target of intensive chemotherapy within one week laid down in the guidelines of the Joint Council for Clinical Oncology.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally.

  Private Prescriptions
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will publish guidance on private prescriptions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The rules governing the issue of private prescriptions by general practitioners are set out in the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992.

  Staff Sickness
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the number of days lost to the NHS through staff sickness in each region in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally. The control of absenteeism is a local management responsibility.

  General Psychiatric Wards
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that the number of beds on general psychiatric wards in London is increased as a matter of urgency.

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of beds on general psychiatric wards in London is a matter for each local district health authority. They are responsible for assessing the needs of their local populations and ensuring that a range of services are in place to meet those needs.

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will consult with the Home Office and the police about the need for further development of proper training about mental health for police officers; and if she will provide additional funding for the course already run for police officers by the National Schizophrenic Fellowship.

  Mr. Bowls
  These are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Our Departments work closely together on the co-ordination of services in this area.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish details of contracts market tested(a) by health authorities and (b) by health trusts in 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 21 January at column 887.

  Secure Units
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost of providing a place on a secure unit for a child per week.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally, but may be obtained from the local authority providing the secure accommodation.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average length of time spent by a child on remand in a secure unit.

  Mr. Bowis
  Table 11 of the annual publication "Children Accommodated in Secure Units During the Year Ending 31 March 1993 England" provides information on the number of young people discharged from secure accommodation, by legal status, sex and length of stay. Copies of this publication are held in the Library.

  Engagements
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list her engagements for Tuesday 22 February and Tuesday 15 February.
  85
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  On Tuesday 15 February, I had a regular meeting with Ministers; addressed the National Asthma Campaign conference; attended a meeting chaired by the President of the Board of Trade on the White Paper on competitiveness, had meetings with officials on proposed legislation for the next session and mental health services; met officers of the Back-Bench health committee and then the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett).

  On Tuesday 22 February, I had a regular meeting with Ministers; officially launched the Sainsbury centre for mental health; attended first order questions; had separate meetings with Claire Rayner and the Conservative party chairman; met a delegation of hon. Members for Birmingham and attended a dinner being held in honour of the Egyptian Minister of Populations and Family Welfare.

  WRVS
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to meet representatives of the Women's Royal Volunteer Service to discuss the impact of food hygiene regulations on WRVS pensioners' lunch clubs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the Baroness Cumberlege, who has ministerial responsibility for food safety, will be meeting my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service on 14 March.

  We will be happy to discuss the sensible application of the regulations.

  Nuffield Report
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions are taking place with the Association of British Insurers on the Nuffield report on genetic screening; and if he will make a statement on progress.

  Mr. Sackville
  The report was raised during a meeting in December 1993 between officials of the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry and representatives of the Association of British Insurers. I also wrote to the hon. Member on 25 February; a copy of my letter is available in the Library.

  Health Management Trust Ltd.
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement concerning the establishment by 'West Midlands regional health authority of the Health Management Trust Ltd., with particular reference to the transfer to the trust of Crown copyright software and the licence fee paid for this.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The financial information project—FIP—was set up in 1979 and was jointly funded initially by the Department and West Midlands regional health authority and later by an association of regions. The association was subsequently disbanded. In order to ensure the further development of the software, a charitable trust called the health management trust was set up and a licence was granted to it by the Department to use, develop and distribute the software for the benefit of the national health service. As the trust is a non-profit-making charity and the software is made available to NHS users at beneficial rates, there was no licence fee.
  86
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what amount was granted by the West Midlands health authority to Health Management Trust Ltd.; what were the reasons for this; how much of this amount the company has repaid; and what representations her Department has made to West Midlands health authority on this matter;

  (2) what amount was lent by the West Midlands health authority to Health Management Trust Ltd.; what were the reasons for this; what were the repayment terms of the loan; and what representations her Department have made to the West Midlands regional health authority on this matter.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The amount granted by West Midlands regional health authority to Health Management Trust Ltd. is £101,700: in addition loans amounting to £930,000 have been made by West Midlands regional health authority to Health Management Trust Ltd. The grant was not repayable and was made as part of a total package of financial assistance to enable the trust, on behalf of the regional health authority, to research and develop computer-based systems to improve organisation and management within the NHS. The loan was made to enable the trust to continue development of the financial information project—FIP—software products, consisting of software systems on ward nursing, paramedic and theatre systems and community nursing and is repayable, with interest, by quarterly instalments beginning on 28 February 1994. The Department has been in contact with West Midlands regional health authority about this matter on a number of occasions.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what authority the West Midlands regional health authority was able to establish the Health Management Trust Ltd. as a separate company with charitable status; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Health Management Trust Ltd. was established by a number of individuals, some of whom were national health service employees, acting in a personal capacity, with assistance from the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the level of charges levied by Health Management Trust Ltd. on the users of software, including other health authorities, for which it has the Crown copyright.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The level of charges is a matter for Health Management Trust Ltd. to determine.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from other national health service bodies about the conduct of Health Management Trust Ltd. in pursuing legal action against the users of the software for which it has the Crown copyright.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department is not aware that Health Management Trust Ltd. has taken legal action against any national health service users.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what settlements have recently been concluded between(a) the South Western regional health authority and (b) North West Thames regional authority and Health Management Trust Ltd.
  87
  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1992, the Department mediated successfully in a dispute between South Western regional health authority and Health Management Trust Ltd. In 1993, the Department was similarly successful in mediating between North West Thames regional health authority and the Health Management Trust. The terms of the respective settlements are confidential between the parties concerned.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has made to West Midlands health authority or Health Management Trust Ltd. about these settlements.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None, as settlement was reached by all the parties concerned.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the relationship between the West Midlands health authority and Health Management Trust Ltd. and FIP Ltd.;

  (2) what is the status of Health Management Trust Ltd. and HP Ltd. within the NHS.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Financial information project—FIP—was set up in the mid 1980s as a consortium of district health authorities to develop and use a series of financial information systems. In July 1989 the West Midlands regional health authority agreed a proposal to transfer the activities of HP to an independent trust—Health Management Trust—which was registered as a charity. Focus Information Systems, the new name for the company previously known as FIP, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Health Management Trust Ltd.

  Dental Health
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the potential dental risks associated with the use of soya-based baby milk.

  Mr. Sackville
  Soya-based infant formulas have been developed for the particular needs of infants who are allergic to cow milk protein or who are lactose intolerant or who are being reared on a vegan diet. In order to meet all of these needs in one product they are formulated with carbohydrates which are more cariogenic than lactose. Parents feeding their infants with soya-based formulas should therefore pay particular attention to good weaning practices. Oral hygiene procedures should be started as soon as teeth emerge and parents may wish to seek medical and dental advice on the provision of fluoride supplements.

  Abortions
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give a breakdown by regional health authority of the numbers of abortions performed in the latest year for which figures are available in pregnancies of more than 24 weeks' gestation; if she will indicate the grounds upon which those abortions were performed; and, specifically, if she will indicate where appropriate the nature of any possible handicap from which the baby might have been suffering.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) on 29 June 1992 at columns 437–38.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued by her Department 88
  about the nature of those handicaps which might be considerd to be so severe as to fall within the provision of the existing legislation that abortions might in those cases be performed up until birth; and, specifically, whether dwarfism or acondraplasia might reasonably be considered as grounds for such late abortions.

  Mr. Sackville
  Decisions as to what constitutes "substantial risk" and "serious handicap" within the ground specified in the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, are matters for the clinical judgment of the doctor concerned taking into account all of the facts and circumstances of each case.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has yet received a formal notification of the abortion in a pregnancy of 35 weeks' gestation, performed at St. George's hospital, Tooting over the weekend of 5 and 6 February; and if she will indicate the name of the doctor performing that abortion and the grounds upon which it was authorised.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information provided to the chief medical officer on abortion notification forms under regulation 4 of the Abortion Regulations 1991 may not be disclosed because of restrictions set out in regulation 5.

  Formula Milk
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce new regulations to regulate the advertising of formula milk for babies.

  Mr. Sackville
  Draft regulations to implement two European Community directives covering the composition, marketing and export of infant formula and follow-on formula have been the subject of a public consultation exercise carried out by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The closing date for receiving comments was 4 March. The regulations will be finalised once we have considered carefully the comments received.

  Advertising
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 212, what were the actual costs for publications and advertising in 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The costs for publications and advertising in 1992–93 were:

  Publications - £10·110 million

  Advertising - £5.053 million

  NHS Services
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent by her Department since April 1992 on formal analysis and review of NHS services in London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The analysis and review of national health service services in London has been undertaken as a normal part of the duties of the Department's officers working within the NHS Management Executive. Additionally, since April 1992, approximately £1·6 million has been spent by the Department on specific studies including the Tomlinson inquiry.

  Grants
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was given to(a) the Centre for Living Foundation, (b) the Centre for Accessible Environments, (c) the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People and (d) the Terrence Higgins Trust in grants under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, at current prices, in each year since financial help under the section was first approved.

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

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was given to the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation in grants under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, at current prices, in each year since 1979; and what grants are planned in each of the next four financial years.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if she will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department expects to spend £93,000 this financial year on the provision of child care. This includes purchasing 35 nursery places; holiday playschemes catering for 61 children in total each half term and major school holidays; a child care co-ordinator seconded from Leeds city council to provide members of staff who relocated with the National Health Service Management Executive with advice on local childcare facilities; and a subscription to Childcare Solutions, an information service on child care facilities available nationally.

DEFENCE

  Pilots
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots there were(a) under training but not on training courses and (b) under training and on training courses in (i) 1985, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1993; and what is planned in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  At 1 April 1985 and 1 April 1990, the overall total numbers of pilots under training were 881 and 633 respectively. A break-down between those on training courses and those not on training courses, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. At 1 April 1993 there were(a) 247 pilots under training but not on training courses and (b) 423 under training and on training courses. The forecasts for 1 April 1995 are 228 and 342 respectively.

  1980

  1985

  1990

  1995 (planned)

  Role

  Nimrod MR 1/2

  28

  28

  28

  21

  MP

  Vulcan SR2

  8

  —

  —

  —

  R

  Canberra

  22

  3

  3

  3

  R

  Nimrod R

  3

  3

  3

  3

  R

  90
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots there were in RAF front-line sqadrons in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not our practice to disclose information on this kind as it relates to operational capability.

  Royal Air Force
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircrew below the rank of group captain there were in the RAF in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what is planned in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of RAF aircrew—including trainees—below the rank of group captain for the years requested were as follows:

  1 April for each year

  Number

  1980

  7,783

  1985

  8,009

  1990

  7,601

  1993

  7,233

  The current forecast for 1 April 1995 is around 6,460.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the RAF in 1993 prices in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1992 and (e) 1993; and what is projected in the current year, and in 1995 and 1996.

  Mr. Hanley
  The costs of each of the services are not separately calculated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many reconnaissance aircraft there were in RAF front-line squadrons in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned in 1995;

  (2) how many close air support aircraft there were in RAF front-line squadrons in (a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned for 1995;

  (3) how many air defence aircraft there were in RAF front-line squadrons in (a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned in 1995;

  (4) how many maritime patrol aircraft there were in RAF front-line squadrons in (a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned in 1995;

  (5) how many strike/attack aircraft there were in RAF front-line squadrons in (a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned for 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  The details requested on aircraft in RAF front line squadrons, not including in-use reserves or those on operational conversion units are:
  91

  1980

  1985

  1990

  1995 (planned)

  Role

  Jaquar

  1108

  160

  36

  36

  CAS/R/A

  Vulcan B2

  48

  —

  —

  —

  S/A

  Buccaneer

  60

  24

  24

  —

  S/A/CAS

  Harrier

  52

  48

  48

  39

  CAS/R

  Tornado GR1 a/b

  —

  100

  120

  96

  CAS/R/S/A

  Lightning F3/F6

  24

  24

  —

  —

  AD

  Phantom FG1

  31

  31

  5

  —

  AD

  Phantom FGR2

  57

  55

  34

  —

  AD

  Phantom F4J

  —

  12

  10

  —

  AD

  Tornado F3

  —

  —

  70

  80

  AD

  Note 1. Includes aircraft designated for the strike role.

  KEY MP (maritime patrol), R (reconnaissance), CAS (close air support), A (attack), S (strike), AD (air defence).

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new aircraft were delivered to the RAF in(a) 1990, (b) 1991, (c) 1992 and (d) 1993; and what is planned in the current year and in 1995.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer my hon. Friend to the RAF forward equipment tables in the statement on the defence estimates 1991, 1992 and 1993 for the statistics requested for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93. The information for the current and next two financial years is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  VC10 tankers1

  4

  9

  3

  Chinook Mk22

  8

  16

  11

  Tucano

  2

  —

  —

  Harrier T10

  —

  8

  4

  Sea King HAR3

  —

  —

  6

  1 Conversion of existing aircraft to tanker role.

  2 32 RAF Chinook Mk1s are being updated to a new Mk2 standard. In addition three new-build Chinook Mk2s will be delivered during 1995–96.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ground crew there were on RAF front-line squadrons in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1990; and what is planned for 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  This information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircrew there were on RAF front-line squadrons in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what is planned in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not our practice to disclose information of this kind as it relates to operational capability.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers of air rank there were in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what is planned in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of RAF officers of air rank in the years requested were as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1 April 1980

  182

  1 April 1985

  174

  1 April 1990

  174

  1 April 1993

  163

  92
  The current forecast for 1 April 1995 is some 124.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total strength of the RAF in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what is planned for 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  The total strength of the RAF, including trainees, for the years requested was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1 April 1980

  89,641

  1 April 1985

  93,425

  1 April 1990

  89,685

  1 April 1993

  80,909

  The current forecast for 1 April 1995 is around 70,000.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots below the rank of group captain there were in the RAF in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what are the figures projected for 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of pilots, including trainees, below the rank of group captain in the RAF for the years requested were as follows:

  Number

  1 April 1980

  3,146

  1 April 1985

  4,059

  1 April 1990

  3,570

  1 April 1993

  3,429

  The current forecast for 1 April 1995 is around 3,050.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent on RAF pensions at 1993 prices in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what is projected in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  Total expenditure on RAF pensions, at 1993–94 prices, in the financial years in question was:

  £

  1980–81

  300,730,000

  1985–86

  400,797,000

  1990–91

  519,904,000

  Current forecasts for financial years 1993–94 and 1995–96 are:

  £

  1993–94

  638,843,000

  1995–96

  639,409,000

  93
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF stations there were in(a) 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) 1993; and what is planned for 1996.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Service Personnel (Pensions)
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent on pensions for armed service men in 1993 prices in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1993; and what is planned in 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  Total expenditure on armed forces pensions, at 1993–94 prices, in the financial years in question was:

  £

  1980–81

  1959,034,000

  1985–86

  1,273,780,000

  1990–91

  1,629,837,000

  1 Does not include expenditure on terminal grants for Army other ranks, records of which are not available for financial year 1980–81.

  Current forecasts for financial years 1993–94 and 1995–96 are:

  £

  1993–94

  2,067,587,000

  1995–96

  1,890,198,000

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent on defence, in 1993 prices in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1992 and (e) 1993; and what is projected in the current year, and in 1995 and 1996.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information requested is as follows:

  £

  1980–81

  23,784

  1985–86

  27,837

  1990–91

  25,438

  1992–93

  24,387

  1993–94

  23,440

  1994–95

  22,583

  1995–96

  21,037

  1996–97

  20,610

  Notes:

  1. All figures are in £ million and are at 1993–94 constant prices.

  2. Figures are adjusted for technical changes in the treatment of Armed Forces and civilian pensions described in the 1992 autumn statement, Cmnd. 2096, and other classification changes.

  3. Figures include expenditure on the Falklands and Gulf conflicts and redundancies but exclude Gulf burden-sharing contributions from other Governments.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 decided not to sign; and if he will make a statement on his policies in respect of signing public interest immunity certificates.
  94
  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The policy of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of signing such certificates is to be found in his evidence to the Scott inquiry. It is for the court in any particular case to weigh the public interest asserted in the certificate against the competing public interest in the due administration of justice.

  14MU RAF Carlisle
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 66, what contractural conditions govern the disposal price of the 14MU RAF Carlisle site in the event of former owner interest in the site; and how far this possibility was reflected in the investment appraisal.

  Mr. Hanley
  Any sale of land at 14MU RAF Carlisle under the former owner offer-back criteria would be at an open market price reflecting the most favourable planning permission achievable for the future potential development of the site. The investment appraisal reflected the estimated open market value of the establishment which assumed that the land would be used for similar purposes as at present.

  Search and Rescue Operations
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions, within the past three years, when the Royal Navy or RAF have engaged in search and rescue operations within the territorial waters of the Irish Republic; and what was the cost of such operations.

  Mr. Hanley
  During the period 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1993, there were 13 occasions on which either RN or RAF aircraft have been engaged in search and rescue operations within the territorial waters of the Irish Republic. The total cost of these operations was approximately £388,500 at full cost.

  Maternity Leave (Armed Forces)
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maternity leave entitlement for women serving in the armed forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  Service women are eligible for a maximum of 48 weeks maternity leave, of which 14 weeks may be on full pay depending upon length of service and other conditions.

  Redundancies
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the process whereby the selection recommendations were made regarding officers and soldiers for the redundancy notices that were sent out on 24 February.

  Mr. Hanley
  The selection process involved impartial boards made up of experienced officers, who carefully considered the age, skills and experience of individuals who fell within the redundancy categories which were promulgated in August 1993. Where possible, volunteers were selected in preference to non-volunteers. In the third phase of Army redundancies, 85 per cent. of those selected were voluntary.
  95
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria have been used in selecting the officers for compulsory redundancy.

  Mr. Hanley
  The primary aim of the Army redundancy programme was to ensure that the Army would retain the proper structure and balance of age, skills and experience necessary for the future. Selections were based on these principles.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the extra training on military strategy and other defence items promised as part of the arms deal negotiated with Malaysia between 1985 and 1988; who was to provide it; how many military personnel were involved; and for what purpose such training was provided.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has provided only technical training under the terms of the 1988 memorandum of understanding signed with Malaysia. This training has taken place both in the United Kingdom and Malaysia, and has included the provision of loan service personnel. Further details, including costs, are confidential between the two Governments.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the difference between the normal commercial rate and the concessionary rate offered by the United Kingdom for the purchase of arms to Malaysia under the 1988 memorandum of understanding; how much was actually paid to make up this difference, under what heading of expenditure this was paid; and what assessment he has made of the consistency of such concessionary rate with the Washington convention on export credits and other international agreements.

  Mr. Aitken
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 21 February,Official Report, column 69.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) of 22 February,Official Report, column 69, who heads the special unit set up inside his
  96
  Department in support of the arms deal to the Malaysians under the 1988 memorandum of understanding; what are its functions: and to whom it is accountable.

  Mr. Aitken
  A director heads the Malaysian project office. The MPO exists to provide advice and support to the Malaysian Government in their procurement of defence equipment from United Kingdom suppliers; the director is accountable through the head of the Defence Export Services Organisation to Ministers.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what way Her Majesty's Government fulfilled their offer to the Malaysians, under the 1988 memorandum of understanding, to assist in fixing easier terms; if there was any shortfall in the funding by the Malaysian Government; and what are the precedents for making such provisions.

  Mr. Aitken
  All defence purchases by Malaysia under the 1988 MOU have been made on a cash basis. As to precedents, at that time Malaysia was eligible under OECD conventions for export credit at consensus rates.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spends on child care; on what provision the sum is spent; how many children receive the child care; and if he will make a statement about child care.

  Mr. Hanley
  No central records are maintained of total departmental expenditure on providing child care facilities, or the number of children catered for. It is departmental policy, however, to increase the provision of child care facilities for staff wherever possible; budget holders are encouraged to set up new child care facilities for staff where there is sufficient demand.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 240, with which third parties the possibility of their clearing minefields in the Falklands is being explored.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply. We have not explored with any third parties the possibility of their clearing minefields in the Falkland Islands.

  HANSARD: USE IN EVIDENCE
  HANSARD: USE IN EVIDENCE
  GUINNESS plc
  GUINNESS plc
  CAMDEN AND ISLINGTON UNDER PRIVILEGED AREA SCORES
  CAMDEN AND ISLINGTON UNDER PRIVILEGED AREA SCORES
  SARAJEVO: SMALL ARMS FIRE
  SARAJEVO: SMALL ARMS FIRE
  KNOW HOW FUND BUDGET
  KNOW HOW FUND BUDGET
  CHILD MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS AND INCOME SUPPORT
  CHILD MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS AND INCOME SUPPORT
  THE FORESHORE: LAND SALES POLICY
  THE FORESHORE: LAND SALES POLICY