Written Answers of 8 March 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the latest projected spending in 1993–94 on(a) criminal legal aid, (b) civil legal aid and (c) the total legal aid budget.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is estimated that the total net cost of legal aid this year will amount to £1,225 million. Of that, £527 million will be spent on criminal legal aid and £698 million on civil legal aid. Estimates for each category of legal aid are as follows:

  £ million

  Criminal legal aid

  Criminal Magistrates

  192

  Criminal Higher

  235

  Duty Solicitors Schemes

  79

  Criminal Green Form

  21

  Civil legal aid

  Civil legal aid

  552

  Green Form

  126

  Assistance By Way of Representation

  20

  Total legal aid

  1,225

  Family Law
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the Government's response to the recommendations in the Law Commission's report "Family Law: Matrimonial Property"—Law Comm 175.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  After careful consideration the Government have decided not to implement this report. The Lord Chancellor is, however, grateful to the Law Commission for the valuable contribution which the report has made to the development of this area of the law.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Tobacco Taxation
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 666, what contribution to Treasury finance is made by VAT from tobacco consumed by children under 16 years of age in the United Kingdom.

  Sir John Cope
  It is estimated that around £15 million is raised in VAT on tobacco smoked by children between the ages of 11 and 15 in the United Kingdom.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  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 London 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
  It is not our practice to produce estimates at the sub-regional level as they are not, in general, reliable.

  Alcohol
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes to protect British off-licence shops from the importation of duty-free wines, beers and spirits from France; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  For offences involving illegal disposal of imported alcoholic drinks, the law provides for seizure of the goods and penalties of up to seven years' imprisonment. Customs is acting vigorously to protect the legitimate trade by seeking out offenders. In the 12 months to December 1993, 1,175 detections were made. Most of these cases were dealt with by seizure of the goods and sometimes the vehicles involved. Fifty-one prosecutions involving 76 defendants were completed and have resulted in fines and in some cases imprisonment. More are in the pipeline. This firm action will continue.

  Savings Taxation
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the review of savings taxation.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I am examining the impact of tax and other Government policies on savings and the flow of funds through the economy. This work covers a range of issues and will extend over a number of months.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify the nature of the publicity regarding public access to land that was agreed for those properties in Lancashire benefiting from conditional exemption from inheritance tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The owner of land which is conditionally exempt from inheritance tax is required to publicise the agreed public access arrangements. The heritage advisory agencies will discuss with each owner the appropriate level of publicity. Each case is cconsidered individually and all relevant factors, including the existing level of publicity, are taken into account. Although the extent of public access may already be widely known, for example where substantial public access is already given, the owner will generally be required to take specific steps to publicise the public access arrangements, for example by advertising the access arrangements in a local tourist office or town hall.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects national gross domestic product, excluding North sea oil revenues, to reach the same level as in the second quarter of 1990.
  99
  Mr. Nelson
  Latest data for non-oil GDP in 1993, and the growth forecast in last November's "Financial Statement and Budget Report", imply that non-oil GDP will pass its second quarter 1990 level some time in mid-1994.

  BT3 Share Offer Campaign
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 February,Official Report, columns 271–72, if he will place in the Library a copy of the results of any market research relating to the BT3 share offer campaign.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The market research into the advertising campaign on the BT3 share sale was carried out on a commercial in confidence basis. The research commented on the relative strengths of the creative ideas of competing advertising agencies; it would not be appropriate to make it public.

  Taxation (Construction Workers)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter the system of taxation and national insurance for self-employed construction workers.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 10 February,Official Report, column 382.

  Low-wage Earners
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of Government policies on the economic well-being of the poorest 10 per cent. of wage earners.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The real income of a family with two children at the lowest decile of male earnings has risen by almost 24 per cent. since 1978–79.

  Private Health Insurance
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be raised if income tax were collected on the value of all health insurance benefits given to employees; and what is the amount actually collected.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]All directors, regardless of their earnings, and all employees earning at a rate of £8,500 a year or more—including the value of their benefits in kind—are taxed on any health insurance provided by their employers. An estimate of the tax collected on this basis was given in my answer to the hon. Member on 14 January 1994,Official Report, column 308. Information is not available about the numbers of employees earning at a rate of less than £8,500 a year who are provided with health insurance benefits by their employers.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions the Treasury has had with officials or Ministers from the Department of Health about(a) extending tax relief on private health insurance to those aged under 60 years or (b) abolishing tax relief for those aged over 60 years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 March 1994]: Internal discussions within the Government are confidential.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Offices
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Prime Minister how many bottles of(a) whisky and gin and (b) sherry and port were consumed by his private offices in 1993–94.

  The Prime Minister
  Disaggregated information of this sort could be otained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of new furniture for his private office during the year 1993–94.

  The Prime Minister
  Such purchases are included within my Office's overall administration expenditure, which is published every year in the annual report.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 8 March.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 8 March.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Official Gifts
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 162, what happened to those gifts of small value presented to former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher and not required by her on leaving office.

  The Prime Minister
  Gifts of small value are the property of the Prime Minister, not the Government. The retention or disposal of such items is therefore a matter for the Prime Minister concerned.

  Malaysian Protocol
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Cabinet meetings were held between the signing of the Malaysian protocol in March 1988 and 28 June 1988.

  The Prime Minister
  It remains the Government's practice not to give details of Cabinet or Cabinet Committee meetings.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was first made aware of the references to civil aid and arms' sales in the Malaysian protocol of March 1988.

  The Prime Minister
  On 12 May 1988, in my capacity as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Parliamentary Broadcasting
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to introduce legislation to clarify the BBC's existing obligation to carry a daily sound broadcast report of Parliament by stating the
  101
  wavelengths on which the broadcast shall be carried; and what plans he has for legislation to extend the BBC's existing obligation in respect of sound broadcasts to television.

  Mr. Brooke
  None. The BBC is responsible for deciding how to use the frequencies allocated to it, including the editorial content and scheduling of its programmes, under the terms of its royal charter and licence and agreement. I am sure that the BBC will have taken note of the concern which has been expressed in Parliament about its daily reports of proceedings.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans the Government have to raise the cost of the television licence during the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Brooke
  I announced on 4 November 1993,Official Report, columns 309–10, that, from 1 April 1994, the fee for a colour television licence would increase to £84·50 and that for a monochrome licence to £28. I have today laid before the House the regulations necessary to bring these fees into force.

ENVIRONMENT

  Building Projects
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being or have been wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Cambridge in(a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (2) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being or have been wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Swindon in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (3) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being or have been wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Newcastle upon Tyne in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (4) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Plymouth in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (5) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being or have been wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Bristol in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (6) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Leeds in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (7) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Brighton in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;
  102
  (8) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in York in (a) the past five years, (b) this financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (9) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Birmingham in (a) the past five years, (b) this financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (10) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Sheffield in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (11) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Nottingham in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (12) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Leicester in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (13) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Coventry in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (14) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Manchester in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (15) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Hull in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (16) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Liverpool in (a) the past five years, (b) this financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (17) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Dewsbury in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (18) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Norwich in (a) the past five years, (b) this financial year and (c) the next two years;

  (19) what major building projects, valued at over £3 million, are being wholly or partly financed by Her Majesty's Government in Oxford in (a) the past five years, (b) the current financial year and (c) the next two years.

  Sir George Young
  I am replying with information on projects undertaken by my own Department. The Department of the Environment holds details of projects included in its own direct spending and projects undertaken by local authorities and non-departmental public sector bodies, such as urban development corporations, which may be wholly or partially financed by Her Majesty's Government.

  Projects over £3 million are as listed:
  103

  Past five years

  Current financial

  Next two years

  Cambridge

  None

  None

  None

  Swindon

  None

  The Prinnels

  None

  Newcastle

  Cowgate Housing Renewal

  Bath Lane Triangle

  Newburnhaugh

  St. Peters Basin Housing Development

  Industrial Estate at Whitehouse Road

  Newcastle East Quayside Phases 2

  Newcastle Central Business and

  John Marley Training Workshops

  and 3 (Office/Retail/Hotel)

  Technology Park (Offices)

  Ryehill Housing Refurbishment

  Newcastle Arena (Leisure)

  Closegate (Copthorne) Hotel

  Abercorn Road/Fergusons Lane Estate

  St. Peters Basin Phase 2 (Housing)

  Pandon Quays Housing Development

  Scotswood Neighbourhood Renewal

  Lower Scotswood

  Newcastle Business Park (Offices)

  Area

  Walker Technology Park (Industrial)

  Family and Elderly Accommodation

  Callaly Way Housing Development

  - Fergusons Lane

  Ryehill Central

  Newcastle East Quayside Phase 1

  Cruddas Park

  (Offices)

  Loadman Street

  Closegate Office Development

  North Kenton

  Jubilee Estate

  Buddle Road

  Ben Church Street

  Cowgate

  Plymouth

  Crown Hill

  Coxside/National Marine Aquarium

  None

  Crown Building

  Car Park, Plymouth

  Rendell Street, Devonport

  Pembroke Street, Devonport

  Notre Dame Conservation Site

  Bristol

  Avon Valley Urban Village

  Quay Point, Temple Meads

  Bishport Multi-Storeys, Hartcliffe

  Meadowsweet, Trendlewood Park

  Spine Road

  Gatehouse, Withywood

  Barton Hill

  Rockingham House

  Blaise, Lawrence Weston

  Orlebar Gardens, Lawrence Weston

  Hartcliffe and Withywood 1

  Hartcliffe and Withywood 2

  Leeds

  Marriott Hotel

  Royal Armouries Museum

  None

  Embankment (office development)

  Gipton South

  Takare Nursing Home

  Belle Isle N

  Granary Building

  Wimpey Homes Phase 1 - Hunslet Green

  Belle Isle N Enveloping II

  The Deane, Halton Moor

  Ebor Gardens, Halton Moor

  Hunslet Green

  Stonegate A

  Brighton

  Preston Barracks

  Lynchett Close

  None

  York

  None

  Foxwood Lane

  None

  Birmingham

  Birmingham Factory Centre

  Bloomsbury

  Five Ways Tower

  Garrison Lane

  The Firs Phases 3 and 4

  Castle Vale Housing Action Trust

  Waterlinks

  Pool Farm

  Bloomsbury

  Jewellery Business Centre

  Ladywood (includes Central Area and

  The Firs Phases 3 and 4

  Arcadian Centre

  Phases 1 and 2)

  Pool Farm

  Bordesley Village

  Newtown Phases 1 and 2

  St. Lukes

  Browning Street

  Ladywood (includes Central Area and

  IMI Holford Phase 2

  Phases 1 and 2)

  Trafalgar Road, Moseley

  Newtown Phases 1 and 2

  Waterlinks House

  Cockhill

  Bloomsbury

  The Firs Phases 3 and 4

  Pool Farm

  Ladywood (includes Central Area and Phases 1 and 2)

  Newtown Phases 1 and 2

  Sheffield

  Badger Estate Phases 1 to 3

  Steel City House

  Norfolk Park

  Bard Street Phases 1 and 2

  Grain and Terminal Buildings -

  Hyde Park Walk and Tower Phases 1

  Victoria Quays

  and 2

  North West Inner City Action Plan

  Hyde Park Block C

  Broomhall

  Manor Estate Phases 1 to 4

  Lower Manor Phase 1

  104 105

  Past five years

  Current financial

  Next two years

  Nottingham

  Speinton High Rise

  St. Anns

  The 4 Bs

  Radford Flats

  Bridgeway, Meadows

  Crabtree Farm II

  Speinton Railway Lands

  Boots Island Site

  Speinton Square

  Helston Drive Phase 2

  Leicester

  Mowmacro

  Saffron Lane

  St. Andrews Housing Estate

  St. Matthews C

  Leicester City Football Club

  Pex Poly Refurbishment

  St. Matthews East

  Technology Transfer Centre

  Bede Island North, Science Park

  St. Marks

  Bede Island North, Housing

  Kirby Frith

  Helston Drive, Phase 2

  Coventry

  Cofa Court

  Ernesford Grange Phases 1 and 2

  Ernesford Grange Phases 1 and 2

  Crown Building

  Wood End Phases 4 and 5

  Wood End Phases 4 and 5

  Harnall Lane Estate

  Parkside Office Development

  Ernesford Grange Phases 1 and 2

  Wood End Phases 4 and 5

  Manchester

  Langley

  Alexandra Park (Moss Side)

  Wilbraham

  Collyhurst South

  Monsall

  Chorlton-on-Meolock

  Hulme St. Georges

  Platt Lane

  Hacking Street

  Benchill

  Newbank Street

  National Cycling Centre

  Waterloo Road

  Woollam Place

  Victoria Indoor Arena

  Gail House

  Cambridge Street

  Housing Association new build,

  Castlequay

  Concert Hall

  Hulme 2, 3 and 5

  Grand Island

  National Cycling Centre

  Piccadilly Undercroft

  Victoria Indoor Arena

  1830 Warehouse

  Hulme 5 and District Centre

  Orient House

  Demolition

  Granada Hotel

  Housing Association new build, Hulme

  Piccadilly Village

  2 and 3

  Granby Village

  Great Bridgewater Initiative (Concert

  Lancaster and Dominion

  Hall)

  Castlefield Hotel

  National Cycling Centre

  Victoria Indoor Arena

  Housing Association new build, Hulme 2, 3 and 4

  Albert Grove, Longsight

  Hull

  Old Bilton Grange Phases 1 and 2

  Old Bilton Grange Phase 3

  Old Bilton Grange Phase 4

  The Danes, Orchard Park

  The Garths Phase 1

  The Garths Phase 2

  Greenwood Estate

  Derringham Bank

  North Hull Housing Action Trust

  North Hull Housing Action Trust

  North Hull Housing Action Trust

  Louis Pearlman Centre

  Louis Pearlman Centre

  Louis Pearlman Centre

  Liverpool

  Phythian

  Sedgemoor (Norris Green)

  Sedgemoor Phase 2

  Belle Vale

  Baycliff/Southdean (Dovecot)

  Baycliff/Southdean Phase 2

  Chatsworth

  Dingle

  Dingle Phase 2

  Netherley

  Business Grants Block Johnsons

  Telegraph House

  Norwood

  Controls

  St. Georges Hall

  Princes Park

  Central Bus Station

  Project Rosemary

  Queens Road

  St. Georges Hall

  Renshaws Expansion

  Everton Park

  Project Rosemary

  Town Hall

  Queens Dock

  Renshaws Expansion

  Wavertree Tech Park

  Gregson Street Phase 1 and 2

  Town Hall

  Liverpool Housing Action Trust

  Boundary Street, Liver/Lightbody

  Wavertree Tech Park

  St. John's House, Bootle

  Street

  Liverpool Housing Action Trust

  Chatsworth Street

  St. Andrews Gardens

  Eldonians

  Dewsbury

  None

  None

  None

  Norwich

  None

  None

  None

  Oxford

  Blackbird Leys

  Blackbird Leys

  None

  Grants, Northumberland
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total of Government grants given to each district council in Northumberland last year.
  107
  Mr. Baldry
  The available information is as follows:

  Government Grants1 to District Councils in Northumberland 1993–94 budget

  £000's

  Tynedale

  4,193

  Castle Morpeth

  3,173

  Wansbeck

  5,883

  Blyth Valley

  7,129

  Alnwick

  3,830

  Berwick Upon Tweed

  2,349

  1 Revenue grants as reported to the Department by the local authorities. This comprises revenue support grant and specific and special grants.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) of 28 February,Official Report, column 555, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter relating to wind farms to which he refers.

  Mr. Baldry
  Yes.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 536, if he will list the grade 2* listed buildings for which consent to demolish has been given.

  Mr. Baldry
  Grade 2* listed buildings for which consent to demolish was given during the period 1 January 1982 to 31 March 1993 are:

  Allanby house, Maryport, Cumbria

  Dogmersfield park, Hampshire

  2 Lansdown crescent, Cheltenham

  Old Farmhouse, Manor House farm, Crawford, Lancashire

  Campsall hall, South Yorkshire

  Welton grange, Humberside

  Clayhouse barn, Halifax

  Kerswell priory, Devon

  Oakfield, Sulhampstead Bannister, Berkshire

  Coachman's cottage, Studley, Warwickshire

  Old hall, Manor road, Bishop Auckland

  Ditchett hall, Shepton Mallett, Somerset

  9 Queen street, Droitwich, Worcestershire

  Port East warehouses, North Quay, West India docks, London Hinxton hall, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire—curtilage buildings listed in their own right

  Hammerhead Crane, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

  Details of buildings for which consent was given prior to 1982 are not readily available.

  Mobile Homes
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to give greater protection to tenants in mobile home parks; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  We have no plans at present to introduce further legislation concerning mobile homes. However, the two major industry bodies have recently launched a charter for mobile home residents which aims to help residents and site owners understand their existing legal right, and extends the responsibilities of site owners. Members of the industry bodies will be obliged to follow the charter.

  St. Andrew's Gardens, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what time scale he how puts on the completion of the city challenge flagship project at St. Andrew's gardens project in Liverpool; and what funding will be made available for the project in the present financial year and the next;

  (2) when he expects to hold the public inquiry into the Russell street-Berry street link road, Liverpool; and when it is likely that a decision will be available;

  (3) what assessment he has made as to the effect of the public inquiry into the Russell street-Berry street link road, Liverpool on the city challenge flagship project at St. Andrew's gardens.

  Mr. Baldry
  I cannot say at this stage, when the public inquiry into the Russell street-Berry street link road might be held or when a decision will be issued. Arrangements for the inquiry will be put in hand once the planning and listed building consent applications and related documents requested from Liverpool city council on 16 February have been received.

  The original time scale projected for the completion of the St. Andrew's gardens project was June 1966. My officials are currently discussing with Liverpool City Challenge and Merseyside Improved Houses what steps need to be taken to avoid significant delays as a result of the call-in and public inquiry.

  Funding for the vacant stock initiative element of the project, through Liverpool City Challenge, is as follows:

  £million

  1992–93

  2·400

  1993–94

  11·047

  1994–95

  11,354

  1995–96

  10·703

  1 Estimated.

  City Challenge funding for the houses for sale element—in addition to private sector investment is:

  £million

  1995–96

  10·420

  1996–97

  10·280

  1 Estimated.

  Leeds Development Corporation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out by industrial sector the number of jobs a) created and (b) saved by the Leeds development corporation in each financial year since its inception.

  Mr. Baldry
  Leeds development corporation does not analyse employment numbers within its areas by standard industrial classification. Nor does it keep records of the number of jobs saved. The numbers of gross jobs created within its area for each financial year since its inception are as follows:

  Year

  Numbers

  1988–89

  1,526

  1989–90

  2,458

  1990–91

  2,320

  109

  Year

  Numbers

  1991–92

  210

  1992–93

  830

  Plymouth Development Corporation
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress regarding the urban development corporation established in Plymouth in part to deal with redundant assets at Devonport; what assets have been transferred to the UDC from the MOD; on what basis this transfer took place; how many of these assets have been sold or developed; how many jobs have been created in the initiative; how much investment has been carried out by the Government to date; what is the total cost of the initiative to the Government to date; and what is the projected total.

  Mr. Baldry
  Plymouth development corporation was set up in April 1993. Since then it has encouraged the private sector to offer solutions to the redevelopment of its ex-MOD sites. Royal William yard in particular was a part of the DOE private finance initiative announcement in November last year.

  Two sites, Mount Wise—seven acres—and Royal William yard—32 acres—have been transferred to PDC. Mount Batten—55 acres—will be transferred this month. All are being transferred at open market value, although the purchase cost is part of the MOD contribution to the development corporation.

  PDC is still examining the potential for redevelopment of the ex-MOD sites so no assets have yet been sold or developed. No direct jobs, other than two permanent staff of the development corporation, have been created but the corporate plan indicates the potential to create over 1,300 new jobs and to lever in some £50 million of private sector money.

  The Government money spent by PDC so far is in the region of £7 million including land purchase. Over the five-year life of the development corporation it is anticipated that the Government will contribute some £45 million towards the redevelopment of their sites. However, all such long-term commitments are subject to the annual public expenditure survey.

  Water Services
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of(a) water supply and (b) sewerage services for the average home in the areas covered by (a) Wales Water, (b) Severn Trent, (c) North West England and (d) Thames in 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what was the cost of the water supply for the average home in each area in each year.

  Mr. Atkins
  Information on water and sewerage companies' average charges is published annually in the Centre for the Study of Regulated Industries statistics series publication "The UK Water Industry—Charges for Water Services", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the price per thousand gallons of water for the areas covered by(a) Wales Water, (b) Severn Trent, (c) North West England and (d) Thames in 1992–93 and 1993–94.
  110
  Mr. Atkins
  Information on water and sewerage companies' unit costs for water delivered in 1992–93 is contained in the Office of Water Services publication "The Cost of Water Delivered and Sewage Collected", a copy of which is available in the Library. The report for 1993–94 will be available towards the end of the year.

  Gipsy Sites, Essex
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what implications the recent policy announcement on gipsy sites will have for Essex county council's proposal to establish a gipsy site at Barnards farm, East Hanningfield, Chelmsford; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Essex county council's application for approval in principal to develop this site has already been received by the Department. Provided that the county council wishes to proceed, and that the scheme meets the grant criteria, it will continue to be considered for approval under the existing system.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress there has been on the review of the arrangements for dealing with contaminated land which was announced on 24 March 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am glad to report that the contaminated land review, set up in March 1993 under the chairmanship of my Department, has made good progress. Establishing where liability should fall for dealing with damage resulting from historic pollution is complex and the subject is not conducive to easy answers.

  Many interested organisations and individuals have set out their views to the review. Such participation has been extremely helpful in drawing out the key issues and options. To build on that, I have agreed that it would be appropriate to issue a consultation paper, giving all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the preliminary conclusions.

  The consultation paper "Paying for Our Past" has been published today—I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. We have invited comments by 3 May. Those views will be taken into account before we reach our final conclusions.

  The consultation paper makes clear that we support a "suitable for use" approach to dealing with contaminated land. That is that contaminated land should be treated to deal with unacceptable actual or perceived threats to health, safety or the environment, taking account of the actual or intended use of the site; and, where practical, we should keep or bring such land back into beneficial use. That helps us to minimise pressures on green-field sites.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the spending plans for Department of the Environment, PSA Services, the Office of Water Services and Ordnance Survey for the years 1994–95 to 1996–97.

  Mr. Gummer
  Yes. I have today published the Department of the Environment annual report for 1994
  111
  —Cm 2507. This sets out in detail the outcome of the public expenditure survey announced in the Budget statement on 30 November 1993. The report provides an overview of the departments' discharge of their responsibilities over the past year, providing background to each spending programme and policy with more detailed information on performance targets, output measurements and value for money.

  The report sets out our recent achievements and our plans for taking forward policies for the protection and enhancement of the natural and man-made environments. With their wide range of functions, my departments have a leading role to play in this and in ensuring that we see the wider picture of what we are doing, so that we pursue policies of sustainable development. The report contains many examples of how this is being achieved.

  The report is also an important part of my departments' accountability to the public, in line with citizens charter principles.

  Housing Corporation
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship of the Housing Corporation.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am pleased to inform the House that I have appointed Sir Brian Pearse to be chairman of the Housing Corporation from 1 April 1994. I am also appointing Mr. Peter Cooke to the post of deputy chairman. Both appointments will be for three years. As well as welcoming this excellent new team to head the important work of the Housing Corporation, I should like to express my gratitude to their predecessors, Sir Christopher Benson and Sir Norman Wakefield, for their outstanding contributions during their term in office.

  North Sea
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the main findings and conclusions of the recent quality status report on the North sea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The North sea quality status report has not yet been published. The Oslo and Paris Commission and the International Council for Exploration of the Sea are working jointly on preparations for publication at the end of March.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update figure K3, tax revenues from the main local taxes as percentages of total tax revenues of local governments, selected countries, of Cmnd 9714—"Paying for Local Government".

  Mr. Gummer
  No.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the total amount of central grant given to Brent, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Blackburn, Burnley, Knowsley, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Rochdale, Salford, Middlesbrough,112
  Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Nottingham, Bradford and Kingston upon Hull in the years 1980–81, 1986–87 and 1993–94 at constant 1994 prices;

  (2) what was the total amount of central Government grant given to each local authority in England in the years 1980–81, 1986–87 and 1993–94 at constant 1994 prices.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: I have arranged for the information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. Gummer
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: In the current financial year 1993–94 my Department—excluding the Property Services Agency—has spent £60,250 on subsidy for nursery and holiday play scheme provision for 132 children. Start-up costs for additional places in two new inter-departmental nurseries in Westminster and Bristol amounted to £30,000.

  Nuclear Recycling
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations underpinned the decision not to include nuclear recycling at Sellafield or Dounreay in chapter 23 on waste and recycling, at pages 148 to 157 of Her Majesty's Government's sustainable development strategy report published on 25 January.

  Mr. Atkins
  Chapter 23 of "Sustainable Development: the UK Strategy"—Cm 2426—concerns non-radioactive waste.

  "Watch Your Waste"
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what part his Department plays in the Open university book "Watch Your Waste" to which reference is made at page 153 of the report on the Government's sustainable development strategy, released on 25 January.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of the Environment funded the production of the book.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers the decision of the President of the Commission not to publish the report of experts on the future of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have no plans to do so.

  Embassies and High Commissions
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 29, how he assesses the

  113
  savings made to his budget as a result of reductions in Ministry of Defence personnel in embassies and high commissions in the absence of estimates of related expenditure; and if he will publish an estimate of the per capita additional net costs to his budget of a service attaché of colonel or equivalent rank in post in (a) a western European country, (b) a middle eastern country and (c) a Commonwealth third-world country.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Savings resulting from reductions in Ministry of Defence personnel in embassies and high commissions cannot be identified precisely. Direct savings from residential accommodation will be known but other savings arising from, for example, utilities and office space would need to be estimated pro rata after taking account of any direct support provided by the Ministry of Defence.

  The additional direct annual per capita cost—residential accommodation without utilities—of a service attaché of colonel or equivalent rank in (a) Paris (b) Amman and (c) Islamabad would be about £18,700, £11,000 and £6,500 respectively. Other costs would have to be estimated in the same way as for savings.

  Western Honduras
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with RTZ-Kennecott Mining Company on the environmental consequences of mining in Western Honduras.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have had no such discussions. My officials and RTZ are in touch from time to time.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) of 18 February,Official Report, column 1036, what information he can provide concerning public interest immunity certificates signed from 1994 and moving in reverse chronological order, without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Colonies (Police)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which colonies and overseas dependencies and territories have police forces which are under the control of the governor; and if he will list their establishment.

  Mr. Goodlad
  All the police forces of the dependent territories are under the control of the governor. Their establishment is as follows:

  Dependent territory

  Police establishment

  Anguilla

  85

  Bermuda

  414

  British Virgin Islands

  142

  Cayman Islands

  251

  Gibraltar

  214

  Falkland Islands

  14

  Hong Kong

  34,000

  114

  Dependent territory

  Police establishment

  Montserrat

  93

  Pitcairn Islands

  11

  St. Helena and its dependencies

  37

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  120

  1 Part-time.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if(a) the fax links and (b) the telephone between Kuala Lumpur and his Department were operational throughout the period of the negotiations of the protocol with Malaysia in March 1988; if duty officers at the Foreign Office were available at this period; and what rules apply to their contacting Ministers or Ministers' private office staff outside normal office work hours.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Normal communications facilities and duty officer arrangements were available throughout the period. Arrangements also exist for contacting Ministers' private secretaries out of normal office hours.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) of 25 January,Official Report, columns 145–46, if he will give the reasons for the time taken after the signing of the Malaysian protocol in March 1988 for a letter to be sent saying that aid could not be linked to arms sales.

  Mr. Goodlad
  When the text of the protocol became available in London at the end of March, Ministers immediately recognised that the aid-defence sales link would have to be disentangled. Extensive consultations between Ministers followed in which we decided that we should make clear to the Malaysian Government that a link was not possible.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 353, what is the lower limit of costs of the draft schemes prepared for consultation with the Association of Members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Consultations between Her Majesty's Government and the Association of Members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service in Hong Kong on a proposed package of benefits are taking place this week. The cost of the package will be known after it has been finalised.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The report is being published and laid before Parliament today. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

TRANSPORT

  Transport Research Laboratory
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the future status of the Transport Research Laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decision shortly. He recently announced, in evidence to the Transport Select Committee, his provisional view that TRL should transfer to the private sector. Copies of the consultants' report on the feasibility of privatisation, made available to the Committee, are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Contingencies Fund
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to seek an advance from the Contingencies Fund.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Further to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 24 February,Official Report, column 324, pending parliamentary approval of the revised spring supplementary estimate on the administration and transport services vote—class VI, vote 2—sought to provide for a payment to the United States Government, expenditure estimated at £20,000,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

  Driving Tests
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he would accept a bid, either from the in-house team or the private sector, which would mean that the booking of driving tests for Wales would no longer be undertaken in a Welsh location;

  (2) if he would accept a bid, either from the in-house team or the private sector, which would mean that the booking of driving tests for Scotland would no longer be undertaken in a Scottish location.

  Mr. Key
  "The Government's Guide to Market Testing" makes it clear that restrictions which limit contractors' abilities to give the best value for money should not be included in market tests other than for operational reasons. Moreover, geographical constraints on the supply of goods and services are not, in general, permitted under EC competition law. The conduct of driving tests and the location of driving examiners in Wales and Scotland will not be affected by the market test. The requirement to continue to provide the present Welsh language service is to be included in the invitation to tender for the driver test booking service.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the work currently undertaken by the traffic area offices for the Driving Standards Agency is part of the current market test of DSA booking services.

  Mr. Key
  As shared occupiers of the buildings that they share with seven of the 10 DSA booking offices, traffic area offices currently supply DSA with a variety of office 116
  support and property-related services. These might not be required if DSA work were relocated as a consequence of the market test of the DSA booking services. Bidders for the DSA booking service will also be free to choose whether to continue the current arrangements under which three traffic area supply finance services to DSA booking offices.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he would accept a bid for the DSA booking services if that resulted in the centralisation of all booking services in one location.

  Mr. Key
  In order to ensure security of supply it is envisaged that the Driving Standards Agency will award up to four contracts to provide a booking service for separate geographical areas. Bids to run the service as a whole will also be considered if the contract will be managed with the same degree of security.

  British Rail
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in real terms, for each year from 1979 to 1995 the(a) public service obligation grant awarded to British Rail and (b) external financing limit awarded to British Rail.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Public service obligation grant in real terms

  £ million

  11993–94 prices

  1979

  1,253

  1980

  1,246

  1981

  1,454

  1982

  1,474

  1983

  1,463

  1984–85

  21,724

  1985–86

  1,257

  1986–87

  1,024

  1987–88

  1,071

  1988–89

  701

  1989–90

  615

  1990–91

  969

  1991–92

  974

  1992–93

  1,191

  1993–94

  3930

  1994–95

  4—

  1 Adjusted using GDP deflator.

  2 15-month year.

  3 Estimated outturn.

  4 There are no figures available for 1994–95 and 1995–96. From 1 April 1994 Government support for socially desirable but unprofitable rail services will be provided through a grant from the franchising director. This sum is yet to be decided.

  (b) External Financing Limit awarded to British Rail £ million, 1993–94 prices1

  EFL

  Outturn

  1979–80

  2,177

  2,177

  1980–81

  1,649

  1,649

  1981–82

  1,751

  1,827

  1982–83

  1,640

  1,506

  1983–84

  1,618

  1,377

  1984–85

  1,504

  21,690

  1985–86

  1,407

  1,395

  1986–87

  1,163

  1,153

  1987–88

  1,057

  3767

  1988–89

  988

  494

  1989–90

  783

  877

  117

  EFL

  Outturn

  1990–91

  812

  1,249

  1991–92

  1,647

  1,584

  1992–93

  2,170

  2,137

  1993–94

  1,495

  41,495

  1994–95

  1,262

  —

  1 Adjusted using GDP deflator.

  2 15 month year.

  3 From 1987–88 EFL included movements in payroll creditors.

  4 Estimated outturn.

  New Car Registrations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of new car registrations for each of the last eight quarters for(a) Birmingham, (b) the west midlands and (c) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Key
  The requested information is shown:

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  1992

  Birmingham

  20,960

  22,058

  26,362

  15,067

  West Midlands

  27,364

  29,575

  37,304

  29,662

  United Kingdom

  424,743

  376,987

  548,248

  313,896

  1993

  Birmingham

  18,370

  16,107

  27,906

  20,442

  West Midlands

  31,218

  29,323

  40,788

  28,255

  United Kingdom

  470,971

  398,297

  630,770

  345,657

  EC Funding
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those transport projects involving European social and regional funds which have been given the go-ahead since(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. MacGregor
  Lists of transport projects in England approved to date under the European regional development fund since 1979 and 1989 have been placed in the House of Commons Library today. Since 1979, 1,306 projects have been approved and their total value is around £626 million.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the amount of EC social and regional funds available for transport projects over the past 13 years; and what amount was not taken up during that period.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The total value of transport projects in England approved under the European regional development fund since 1981 to date is almost £605 million. Funds are available for a wide range of infrastructure projects and no specific allocation is made for transport projects. Any shortfall in expenditure is reallocated to other projects.

  Market Liberalisation
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's progress since 1989 in further liberalising air and other transport markets both inside and outside the European Union.

  Mr. Norris
  Good progress has been made since 1989 in liberalising international transport markets.
  118
  The third air liberalisation package is now in force in the EU and has been extended to Norway and Sweden. It will shortly be further extended to Iceland, Finland and Austria under the European Economic Area agreement. Our objective as far as the United States is concerned remains to liberalise air services, thus providing further choice and competition on transatlantic routes. Elsewhere, we are making progress in agreeing new or revised arrangements which allow carriers to make commercial decisions on how best to serve the market without needing to seek Government approval. Around 20 such agreements have been made since 1989, with others currently being pursued.

  Interrnational shipping markets are already largely liberal. Agreements on liberalisation of international shipping and cabotage within the EU are examples of further progress in this direction.

  The road haulage market within the EU is now effectively liberalised and substantial progress has now been made on liberalising passenger services. Road transport agreements, existing or under negotiation, with other countries, are in the main liberal or free of permit quotas.

  Access to railway infrastructure must now be granted on equitable conditions for international railway groupings both within EU member states where they are established and in states in between, subject to safety and financial conditions, which must not be discriminatory.

  Stansted
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is considering the redesignation of Stansted as a regional airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  No, we have largely discontinued this system of airport categorisation. This was announced in the 1985 airports policy White Paper—Cmnd 9542.

  Disability Awareness
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the need for disability and mobility awareness training for taxi and private hire car drivers.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department attaches the greatest importance to disability awareness training for all transport operators.

  Following consultation with both licensing authorities and the taxi trade, the Department of Transport has produced a video aimed at taxi drivers which deals specifically with disability awareness issues. Much of the information is directed to drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles, but much of the practical advice is also applicable to drivers of saloon cars, for example on how to assist people with sensory impairments. The video is entitled "Call A Cab" and is available on free loan from the Department of Transport's mobility unit.

  The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee which advises the Secretary of State on transport issues affecting disabled people has recently set up a sub-committee to look specifically at the issue of accessible taxis. I know that one of the first topics it will be tackling is driver training and I look forward with interest to receiving its proposals.

  Passenger Carrying Vehicle Test
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of drivers pass the passenger carrying vehicle test at(a) the first attempt, (b) the second attempt and (c) the third attempt.

  Mr. Key
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive, Dr. John Ford. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from S. J. Ford to Mr. Michael Shersby, dated 7 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the percentage of drivers who pass the passenger carrying vehicle test (PCV) at their first, second or third attempt. We do not routinely collect this information as it does not directly affect the operation of the Agency.

  For consistency of testing, and in fairness to the candidate, it is preferable if the examiner is not made aware of the number of previous attempts a candidate has made at a test. The overall pass rate on PCV tests in the last two financial years was:

  Per rent.

  1991–92

  56

  1992–93

  53

  As part of our second Customer Survey, completed last year—the results of which were published in September—we asked a random sample of all our customers whether it was their first test or a repeat attempt. Of 355 people in the sample who had recently taken their PCV test, 81 per cent. had just passed; of these passes, 40 per cent. were at the first attempt, 33 per cent. at the second, 18 per cent. at the third and 7 per cent. at the fourth.

  Buses and Coaches (Children)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) those local education authorities operating a three-to-two seats policy on school buses and (b) those local education authorities operating a policy of one child to one seat; what plans he has to change his Department's three children to two seats policy on school buses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The information requested is not kept centrally.

  As part of a wider review of bus and coach safety my Department is reviewing the concession which allows three children, under the age of 14, to share a double seat and count as two passengers.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to limit the number of young children that can be carried on coaches without the use of seatbelts to two on each seat.

  Mr. Key
  As part of a wider review of bus and coach safety my Department is reviewing the concession which allows three children, under the age of 14, to share a double seat and count as two passengers.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, by category, the principal assets of Railtrack from 1 April, together with the total valuation of each category.
  120
  Mr. Freeman
  The scheme for transferring assets from the British Railways Board to Railtrack has not been finalised.

  Lollipop People
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department is giving local authorities in respect of the legality of lollipop people escorting children of pre-school age across busy roads.

  Mr. Key
  Sections 26 and 28 of the Road Traffic Act 1984 empower school crosssing patrols to stop traffic only at places where"children cross roads on their way to or from school, or from one part of a school to another".

  The words "children" and "school" are not defined. The interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts, but it would seem that the legislation would not prevent school crossing patrols from escorting children to or from an educational institution that provides education or instruction to children of no predetermined minimum age. This would include a nursery school or playgroup. It is, however, for appropriate authorities to decide their own policy in this matter, consulting their own legal advisers as necessary.

  Minibuses
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mandatory tests he plans to introduce to prevent the sale or hire of unsafe minibuses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  I have no proposals to introduce mandatory tests to prevent the sale or hire of unsafe minibuses. There are already adequate safeguards.

  It is an absolute offence under section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for any person to sell or hire out an unroadworthy vehicle. It is also an offence for any person to use, or cause or permit another person to use a vehicle which is unroadworthy.

  There are also safeguards under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the measures that he is taking to inform minibus operators of safety risks; and the cost involved.

  Mr. Key
  The Department funds the Community Transport Association's information and advice service which ensures that voluntary groups have a central source of free advice and information about all aspects of minibus operations. The budget for the financial year 1993–94 was £41,000.

  A video and information pack about good practice in the transport of elderly and disabled people by minibus is available on free loan from the Department's mobility unit.

  The Department issues a free guide on passenger transport provided by voluntary groups, which includes advice on recommended maintenance arrangements and requirements on equipment and use applying to permit minibuses.

  European Passenger Services Ltd.
  Mr. Wilson
  to ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the cost to the Exchequer will be of fully writing off the debt of £1·4 billion incurred by European Passenger Services Ltd. in order to incorporate it into a joint venture company with he private sector to build the channel tunnel rail link;

  (2) whether it is his intention to reduce or write off the capital debt of assets belonging to European passenger Services Ltd. before its incorporation as a Government-owned company.

  Mr. Freeman
  European Passenger Services Ltd. will be established as a Government-owned company, and eventually transferred to the private sector promoter of the new channel tunnel fixed link, free of the long-term debt which it currently owes to the British Railways Board. The liability to repay these loans will remain with BR or Railtrack.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many managerial and clerical staff have been hired to deal with rail privatisation by his Department; and if he will list their positions and salaries;

  (2) how many managerial and clerical staff have been hired to deal with rail privatisation by British Rail; and if he will list their positions and salaries;

  (3) if he will list the number of staff that have been recruited by British Rail to deal with the restructuring of BR in preparation for privatisation.

  Mr. Freeman
  Four staff, filling two full-time posts up to December 1993, and one thereafter, were hired specifically for rail privatisation work. All were administrative assistants in the full-time salary range £7,247 to £9,499 per annum.

  At present, approximately 40 full-time equivalent staff work on rail privatisation matters.

  BR staff matters are for them.

  Greater London Regional Passengers Committee
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the stations covered by the Greater London regional passengers committee.

  Mr. Norris
  The London regional passengers committee covers all stations on the London underground and the docklands light railway, and all British Rail stations within the area bounded by and including the following stations: Stevenage, Bishops Stortford, Chingford, Harold Wood, Upminster, Ockendon, Purfleet, North Woolwich, Dartford, Swanley, Otford, Sevenoaks, Oxted, Caterham, Gatwick Airport, Dorking, London Road Guildford, Worplesdon, Woking, Virginia Water, Windsor, Slough, Bicester North, Aylesbury, Tring and Harpenden.

  Marsh Mills Roundabout
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on which date the improvement works at Marsh Mills, Plymouth roundabout are likely to be completed.

  Mr. Key
  The present work is being carried out under an agreement with a store developer and is due to be 122
  completed by 25 March. However, improvements under an agreement with another developer are expected to start soon and be completed by the end of May. We are also currently evaluating tenders for a major reconstruction of the defective slip road viaducts east of the Marsh Mills roundabout. This work should start this spring and be completed by early 1996.

  Oil Pollution and Salvage
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when Her Majesty's Government will ratify the 1990 international convention on oil pollution preparedness, response and co-operation to provide a framework for international co-operation for combating major oil pollution incidents; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the ratification of the 1992 protocol to the international convention on civil liability for oil pollution damage and the international compensation fund for oil pollution damage convention;

  (3) if he will make a statement on the ratification of the 1989 international convention on salvage.

  Mr. Norris
  Enactment of the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Pollution) Bill, introduced by my hon. Friend for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) on 16 December 1993, would permit the ratification of these instruments.

  Ships (Sewage Discharge)
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Her Majesty's Government will ratify the International Maritime Organisation's regulations controlling the discharge of sewage from ships; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The Government will consider ratification of annexe IV of MARPOL when the findings of a comprehensive survey of United Kingdom reception facilities, including those for sewage, are available later in the year.

  Aerodromes (Noise Control)
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce legislation to give local authorities powers to enforce noise control arrangements at aerodromes.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: We will introduce legislation when parliamentary time permits.

  Channel Tunnel (Fire)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what day staff of the railway inspectorate first visited the channel tunnel to inspect the site of the electrical fire in the channel tunnel on 13 November.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive, including a railway inspector, first visited the site of this incident on 16 November 1993.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received reports on the electrical fire which occurred in the channel tunnel on 13 November 1992 from(a) Eurotunnel or TML and (b) the Health and Safety Executive.
  123
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Employment Department has been briefed on the incident by the Health and Safety Executive. HSE notified the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority of the incident and the investigation.

  Eurotunnel also gave a report on the incident to the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority.

SCOTLAND

  Women (Statistics)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of women between the ages of 16 and 59 years, and the percentage of those that is economically active, in the regions of Borders and Lothian.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Women aged between 16 and 59 years, 1991

  Number (Thousands)

  Percentage who are economically active

  Borders

  29·7

  72·4

  Lothian

  225·1

  71·8

  Source: 1991 Census of Employment.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which health boards(a) have and (b) have not established emergency dental services since October 1990.

  Mr. Stewart
  Under regulations, emergency dental services consist of treatment provided out of hours, at weekends and on public holidays. Health boards may set up such formal emergency dental services where necessary using general dental practitioners and/or community dental staff. General dental practitioners are responsible for providing emergency dental treatment for their own registered patients. In some areas, dental emergencies may also be treated in hospital or on an ad hoc basis. The table shows which Scottish health boards operate formal emergency dental services and when these services were established.

  Provision of emergency dental services by health boards in Scotland

  Emergency dental services available

  When services established

  Argyll and Clyde

  —

  —

  Ayrshire and Arran

  √

  1982

  Borders

  √

  11990

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  Fife

  √

  1989

  Forth Valley

  √

  1986

  Grampian

  √

  1982

  Greater Glasgow

  √

  1982

  Highland

  —

  —

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  Lothian

  √

  1977

  Orkney

  √

  21990

  Shetland

  √

  21990

  Tayside

  √

  1982

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  1 October.

  2 Pre-October.

  Dunbartonshire Enterprise Council
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the recipients of all grants over £40,000 made by Dunbartonshire Enterprise Council for each year since its inception.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many outstanding management agreements for Scottish Natural Heritage for sites of special scientific interest protection there have been in 1993–94; what is the estimate of their cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  At present there are 523 management agreements for sites of special scientific interest in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage estimates that the cost of these in 1993–94 will be £2,666,000.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions have been taken under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Scotland in each year since 1982 for(a) carrying out a potentially damaging operation to a site of special scientific interest and (b) contravening a nature conservation order under section 29; how many of these were successful; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The information requested is not separately identifiable in the Scottish Office classification of crimes and offences.

  Housing (Dampness and Condensation)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the impact on the prevalance of dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in Scotland of the imposition of VAT on fuel.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The results of the first Scottish house condition survey were published last year and show that 122,000 houses are affected by dampness in the public sector stock and 202,000 affected by condensation. There is an overlap between the two groups and the severity of the problem varies. There is no reason to suppose that the introduction of VAT on domestic fuels will have a direct bearing on the incidence of either condition.

  Benefits have been uprated to take account of the introduction of VAT on domestic fuels. Additional resources have been allocated to the home energy efficiency scheme in 1994–95 which provides assistance for works of insulation and also advice on other energy conservation measures that can be applied.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will undertake a survey of statutory housing authority areas to determine the prevalence of dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in Scotland;

  (2) if he will consult with statutory housing authorities in Scotland in order to agree an action plan to eliminate dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in Scotland;
  125
  (3) what research his Department is currently undertaking to eliminate the prevalence of dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The report of the 1991 Scottish house condition survey published in July 1993 provides an assessment of dampness and condensation in the public sector housing stock. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  Condensation and dampness are identified as national priorities for the use of resources and are being addressed by local authorities under the housing plan system. Authorities have been asked to prepare strategies for dealing with these problems. Research on dampness and condensation is carried out on a United Kingdom basis by the Building Research Establishment and provides the basis for regulatory standards.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what extra resources he proposes to allow local authority housing departments to spend in order to eradicate dampness and condensation in public sector housing in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Substantial resources totalling almost £426 million were announced on 24 February for investment in public sector housing in 1994–95. Under the housing plan system introduced on 30 April last year local authorities were asked to give priority to tackling condensation and dampness, as well as below tolerable standard housing and homelessness, within their capital programmes. It is for authorities to determine how to utilise the resources made available to them.

  Scottish Defence Initiative
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the Scottish Enterprise national defence initiative, established on the instructions of the Secretary of State for Scotland, to alleviate the negative impact of defence expenditure reductions on the Scottish economy and to explore defence diversification issues.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Scottish defence initiative was established by Scottish Enterprise in November 1991, at the request of my right hon. Friend, as a strategy to deal with the effects on businesses and employment of contraction in defence-related industries. A number of programmes and activities have been implemented as a result of the initiative. Since these are essentially operational matters, Scottish Enterprise is best placed to provide details of progress so far. I have therefore asked the chairman of Scottish Enterprise to write to the hon. Member.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the additional non-departmental public bodies to which he will make appointments as a result of the implementation of his proposals set out in "Scotland in the Union: a Partnership for Good".

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 4 February 1994]: I will be responsible for appointments to the Scottish Arts Council as from 1 April 1994 and to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. when ownership transfers to me from the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Osteoporosis
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding has been made available in each of the past five years to health boards for screening of osteoporosis; how many women in Scotland have been screened for osteoporosis in each of the past five years: how many clinics in health board and trust board areas exist for the specific purpose of screening for osteoporosis; and how many women have been diagnosed as suffering from osteoporosis in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: Information about screening of osteoporosis and funding for this is not held centrally.

  It is for health boards as purchasers of care to secure from provider units or trusts an appropriate level of osteoporosis services based on assessment of local need.

  The table identifies the number of females discharged from hospital over the last five years with a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

  Number of females discharged from NHS hospitals in Scotland with a diagnosis of "Osteoporosis" for the years 1988 to 1993

  Year

  Discharges (Females)

  1988

  1,056

  1989

  1,215

  1990

  1,478

  1991

  1,793

  1992

  1,960

  11993

  2,283

  1 1993 data are provisional.

  Sheilton Peatlands Nature Conservation Order
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now put back the public local inquiry into the Sheilton Peatlands Nature Conservation Order, scheduled to commence on Wednesday 16 March, to the week commencing 21 March.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: No. The order will cease to have effect after nine months of its being made unless my right hon. Friend gives notice of his decision.

  It is likely that any delay now would preclude adequate consideration of the report of the inquiry within the statutory timetable.

  Scottish Economy
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the regeneration of Scotland's economy; when he next plans to meet them to discuss this topic; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend last discussed the Scottish economy with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on 14 December 1992. He will consider sympathetically any requests from the STUC for further discussions.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Light Bulbs
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what progress has been made in the conversion to the use of energy-saving light bulbs in each parliamentary building.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  As part of a continuing programme of energy-saving measures in the Palace of Westminster and the parliamentary estate, low-energy light fittings have been installed in many areas. Where these have been installed they have contributed over the past three years to savings of some 65 per cent. in the consumption of electricity. During the same period, over 300 "occupancy sensors" have been installed, which automatically switch off lights when areas are vacated.

  Norman Shaw South
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans there are to upgrade communal areas of the Norman Shaw South building; and for how long it is estimated the building will continue in parliamentary use.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  There are no plans for an immediate upgrade of the communal areas of Norman Shaw South building. Following the completion of the phase II building in about six years' time, a major upgrade of the whole of Norman Shaw South will be undertaken. It is envisaged that the building will continue in parliamentary use for the foreseeable future.

  Television Cameras
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what considerations underlie the prohibition of television cameras from hon. Members' offices.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The regulations which prohibit filming in Members' rooms were agreed in order to address potential problems of access, intrusion, and possible disturbance to the fellow occupants of Members' rooms. They are to be considered again in the near future by the Administration Committee in the context of a comprehensive review of the rules governing filming and photography in the House.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many statutory instruments have been made since 1 November 1993; and how many of them were made by Home Office Ministers.

  School

  1 Pupil number

  Age range and character

  Chalvedon grant-maintained school

  1,397

  11 to 19 non-selective mixed

  Chatham grant-maintained grammar school for girls

  669

  11 to 19 selective girls

  Collingwood grant-maintained school

  1,675

  12 to 18 non-selective mixed

  Deacon's grant-maintained school

  835

  11 to 18 non-selective mixed

  George Spencer grant-maintained school

  958

  11 to 18 non-selective mixed

  Glyn grant-maintained school

  956

  11 to 18 non-selective boys

  Harraby grant-maintained school

  560

  11 to 18 non-selective mixed

  128
  Mr. Newton
  Five hundred and twenty-seven general and 505 local statutory instruments have been made since 1 November 1993 up to the end of February, of which 16 were made by Home Office Ministers.

EDUCATION

  Schools Reorganisation, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he will announce his decision on Doncaster local education authority's proposal for phase 3 of its reorganisation of schools programme.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend expects shortly to announce decisions on these proposals.

  Dr. Bill Mallinson
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to initiate an independent public inquiry into the case of Dr. Bill Mallinson following the report by Sir Michael Davies.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend does not have powers to intervene in the internal administration of universities which are independent corporate institutions.

  Technology Colleges
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list, for each of the 12 schools listed in his announcement of 28 February,(a) the date when it will become a technology college, (b) its current pupil roll and character, (c) whether he has received an application for approval to a change in its admissions arrangements, (d) how many sponsor governors are being appointed, (e) what is the term of office of each sponsor governor and (f) which of the sponsors are represented by a sponsor governor.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The 12 schools announced on 28 February each plan to operate as technology colleges from 1 September 1994. A statutory proposal to increase the capacity of St. George's grant-maintained technology school is currently under consideration. None of the other schools has applied to make a change in its admission arrangements constituting a change of character within the meaning of the Education Act 1993. Each school has confirmed its intention formally to apply to take on between one and four sponsor governors before September 1994. Which of the sponsors are represented by sponsor governors will be determined at that stage. The term of office for sponsor governors is required under the Education Act 1993 to be between five and seven years, with the exact term being specified in the instrument of government. The current pupil roll and character of each school is summarised in the table.
  129

  School

  1Pupil number

  Age range and character

  Kemnal Manor grant-maintained school

  749

  11 to 18 non-selective boys

  Saffron Walden grant-maintained county high school

  1,539

  11 to 18 non-selective mixed

  St. George's grant-maintained technology school

  1,017

  11 to 18 non-selective mixed

  St. Peter's Collegiate Church of England voluntary-aided school

  981

  11 to 18 non-selective mixed

  Saintbridge grant-maintained technology school

  720

  11 to 18 non-selective boys

  1 Provisional at January 1994 as returned to the Department for Education and subject to validation.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many applications have been received from schools seeking to become technology colleges; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The 12 schools announced on 28 February submitted full applications to become technology colleges. Other schools are at varying stages in preparing their applications.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what bids were submitted for initial capital grant for each of the 12 schools listed in his announcement of 28 February; what allocations have been made; and what level and nature of additional annual funding has been agreed.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The self-governing schools listed in the announcement have each been invited to submit a bid for a capital project which involves a capital grant of up to £100,000. The voluntary-aided school has been invited to submit a bid for a capital project which involves

  School/sponsor

  Value £ thousands

  Nature of sponsorship

  Chalvedon grant-maintained school

  Garfield Weston Foundtion

  50·0

  Cash

  Fairfield Catering

  37·0

  Cash

  Roy Millard Associates

  15·0

  Cash

  SIMS Centre

  5·0

  Cash

  PMD Associates

  4·0

  Cash

  Chatham grant-maintained grammar school for girls

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Cash

  GEC Marconi Avionics

  20·0

  Cash

  Clifton Reed Consultants

  15·0

  Cash, goods and services

  Research Machines

  10·0

  Goods and services

  Klick Technology

  7·5

  Goods and services

  Data Collection Systems

  5·0

  Cash

  Architects Joint Partnership

  3·0

  Cash

  Collingwood grant-maintained school

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Cash

  GTi Educational Systems

  25·0

  Goods

  Oracle Corporation (UK)

  15·0

  Goods

  Motorola

  10·0

  Cash and goods

  Deacon's grant-maintained school

  Perkins Group

  49·0

  Goods

  Database and Apricot Computers

  27·0

  Goods

  Greater Peterborough TEC

  20·0

  Cash

  Pearl Assurance

  3·0

  Cash

  George Spencer grant-maintained school

  Sir Harry Djanogly

  79·0

  Cash

  Database and Apricot Computers

  20·0

  Goods

  Midland Bank

  1·0

  Cash

  Glyn grant-maintained school

  ADT Group

  100·0

  Cash

  130
  expenditure of up to £117,500 on which capital grant may be claimed at a rate of 85 per cent. of expenditure. Accordingly, no allocations have yet been made. Additional annual funding for each of the schools in financial year 1994–95 is expected to be at the rate of £60 per pupil, for the purposes of support, equipment and training for the teaching of technology, science and mathematics.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list, for each of the 12 schools listed in his announcement of 28 February, and for each sponsor's contribution, how much of the value is in the form of(a) cash, (b) goods and (c) services; and whether the value of each of (b) and (c) is based on (i) the retail or normal commercial value and (ii) the cost to the sponsor.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The value and nature of sponsorship pledged by the main sponsors for each of the 12 technology colleges are listed. Information on the retail or normal commercial value of goods and services and the cost to the sponsor is commercially confidential.
  131

  School/sponsor

  Value £ thousands

  Nature of sponsorship

  Harraby grant-maintained school

  Carnaud Metal Box

  25·0

  Cash and goods

  Cavaghan and Gray

  25·0

  Cash, goods or services

  Talk-Tel Communication

  20·0

  Goods

  Cumbria TEC

  10·0

  Cash

  Kemnal Manor grant-maintained county high school

  Philip and Pauline Harris Charitable Trust

  50·0

  Goods

  Architects Joint Partnership

  12·5

  Cash and services

  Ballast Nedam Construction

  12·5

  Cash

  Klick Technology

  12·5

  Cash, goods or services

  Research Machines

  12·5

  Goods and services

  Saffron Walden grant-maintained county high school

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Cash

  Acorn Computers

  30·0

  Goods

  Messrs. Wilby and Burnett

  5·0

  Cash, goods or services

  St. George's grant-maintained technology school

  Mr. Reg. Brearley

  100·0

  Cash

  Database and Apricot Computers

  20·0

  Cash, goods and services

  St. Peter's Collegiate Church of England voluntary-aided school

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Cash

  Database and Apricot Computers

  20·0

  Goods and services

  Lucas Aerospace

  22·0

  Goods and services

  Dixons Wallcoverings

  5·0

  Cash and goods

  Unilab

  5·0

  Goods and services

  Saintbridge grant-maintained technology school

  Garfield Weston Foundation

  50·0

  Cash

  Systems Integrated Research

  25·0

  Goods

  Chartwells

  15·0

  Cash, goods or services

  Denford Machine Tools

  35·0

  Goods and services

  AT (Poeton) Gloucester Plating)

  2·5

  Goods and services

  Permali (Gloucester)

  2·5

  Goods and services

  CM Downton

  2·5

  Goods and services

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of the management plan of each of the 12 schools listed in his announcement of 28 February.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. Applications under the technology colleges initiative were prepared by individual schools and their sponsors for submission to the Department. Management plans were not necessarily prepared with any expectation that they would become public documents.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance has been given to schools regarding funding under the technology college initiative; and what assessment he has made as to the consistency with this of the letter of 11 February from the governors of Prospect school, Berkshire, to parents.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend issued a prospectus to head teachers and chairmen of governors of all maintained secondary schools in September 1993 setting out the principles of the technology colleges initiative. More detailed information was circulated to head teachers, on request, in October and November 1993. Both the prospectus and subsequent information included guidance on funding likely to be available to technology colleges. My right hon. Friend has not seen a copy of a letter of 11 February from the governors of Prospect school, Berkshire, to parents.

  Higher Education Funding Council
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it his policy to instruct the Higher Education Funding Council to make restructuring funds available to university institutions which are in financial difficulties and where redundancies are likely;

  (2) by what authority the Higher Education Funding Council may fund early retirement packages for university staffs when these include the commitment to re-employ at the same university those staff as consultants fulfilling comparable duties to those they carried out prior to their retirement;

  (3) if the Higher Education Funding Council has made funds available for early retirement packages for senior employees at the university of London;

  (4) if his Department was consulted by the Higher Education Funding Council about the reorganisation of the management structure of the university of London regarding the posts of principal, director of administration, and director of finance.

  Mr. Boswell
  Universities and colleges are autonomous bodies responsible for the management of their own financial and administrative affairs, including the deployment of staff.

  Should a university experience financial difficulties, the Higher Education Funding Council for England would take action to monitor the position of the institution concerned to ensure public funds were not at risk.
  133
  The HEFCE does not allocate funds for early retirement packages. It is for the institutions themselves to determine staff salaries and any early retirement payments they choose to make from within the funds at their disposal.

  The Department was not consulted about the reorganisation of the university of London's senior management, nor would we expect this. Any such reorganisation is a matter for the institution concerned.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what scrutiny his Department gives to the conduct and funding arrangements of each university following the creation of the Higher Education Funding Council.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department for Education does not scrutinise the conduct and funding arrangements of individual universities. This would not be consistent with the Government's limited role of providing the general framework for an efficient higher education system nor with institutional autonomy which is enshrined in law.

  The Higher Education Funding Council for England is responsible for the allocation of public funds to individual universities; the terms and conditions for use of the considerable public funds at its disposal are clearly specified in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and in a financial memorandum agreed with the Department. The HEFCE is required to ensure all appropriate steps are taken to safeguard the use of public funds.

  London University
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education to which public offices he has appointed the vice-chancellor-elect of London university.

  Mr. Forth
  Professor Andrew Rutherford has not been appointed to any public office by my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education to which public offices he has appointed the current vice-chancellor of London university.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None, although the current vice-chancellor was appointed to the post of Her Majesty's chief inspector by the Queen in Council at my right hon. Friend's recommendation.

  Funding Agency for Schools
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the operational budget of the Funding Agency for Schools under each budgetary heading.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the main estimates, the Government propose to make provision of up to £12 million for the funding agency's running costs in 1994–95. Actual costs will depend on a number of factors, including growth in the number of GM schools. The detailed split of the total between different budget heads will be a matter for the funding agency.

  Teachers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many newly qualified teachers were appointed to permanent teaching posts in each local education authority in 1993.
  134
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is not yet available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people(a) graduated or qualified and (b) failed in teacher training in each of the teacher training colleges and universities in 1993.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is not yet available.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many inquiries have been received by the Child Support Agency from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents since it was set up; and how many inquiries have received a full reply(a) within a fortnight, (b) a month, (c) two months and (d) three months and over.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the chief executive of the Child Support Agency on 4 March 1994,Official Report, column 897.

  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances and on what conditions single mothers can withdraw authorisation once given to the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  If a parent who has given her authorisation makes representations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, they will be considered in the same way as representations made at the time of the original application. If the Secretary of State considers that there is a risk of harm or undue stress to the parent with care or any child living with her, he will withdraw the requirement to authorise action. Once he has done this, the parent with care may request that action to pursue child support maintenance ceases and the Secretary of State must comply with the request.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the cases dealt with by the Child Support Agency to date have resulted in absent parents requesting that their case go before an appeal tribunal; if there is a target time for dealing with appeals; what is the average length of time required to complete the appeal process; and in how many cases the appeal process has exceeded the target time.

  Mr. Burt
  The responsibility for hearing appeals against child support decisions lies with the independent tribunal service. The president of ITS informs me that during the period April 1993 to 25 February 1994 it received 1,132 appeals. Information is not available on how many of these appeals were made by the absent parent. No target for dealing with these appeals has been set by the president, as in his view there is as yet insufficient information on which to base any target. The average time from lodgment of appeal to issue of the tribunal decision is currently 17 weeks.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken by the Child Support Agency to respond to letters from hon. Members; and what action he intends to take to reduce this time.
  135
  Mr. Burt
  The first year of the agency's operations has stimulated a great deal of correspondence and the chief executive of the Child Support Agency has received over 3,700 letters from hon. Members. By 25 February, she had replied to over 1,900. Targets for answering letters are not currently being met, but necessary steps are being taken to ensure that letters to hon. Members are answered as promptly as possible. The average clearance times for such correspondence are in the table.

  Cleared

  Per cent.

  1 to 15 days

  16·61

  16 to 20 days

  8·66

  21 to 40 days

  26·76

  Over 40 days

  47·98

  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single mothers have stopped applying for income support after receiving a maintenance application form from the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  Information is currently being collected on such cases, but figures are not available in a reliable form.

  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many absent parents who have no contact agreement with their former family have demanded contact or residence after receiving maintenance assessments from the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  The arrangement of child maintenance is a separate matter from that of contact or residence with former families, which remains with the courts. Consequently, the Child Support Agency does not routinely collect figures on this subject and information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Benefit Offices, Lewisham
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the total amount of money allocated to each benefit office in Lewisham for 1993–94 that is so far unclaimed for(a) family credit and (b) disability working allowance; and how many people he estimates are failing to take up their entitlement to the above benefits of each such benefit office;

  (2) what is the total amount of money allocated to each benefit office in Lewisham for 1993–94 for (a) family credit and (b) disability working allowance; and what is the planned allocation to each benefit office in Lewisham for each benefit for (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen (Mrs. Kennedy) on 23 February, at column 238.

  Domestic Fuel (VAT)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement detailing the circumstances in which pensioners will not receive the full allowances to help with the cost of value added tax on fuel.

  Mr. Hague
  Taking a "pensioner" as a person receiving a state benefit who is aged 65 or over in the case of men 136
  and 60 or over in the case of women and "full allowances to help with the cost of VAT on fuel" as the additional 50p per week for single people and 70p per week for couples payable from April, the circumstances will be as follows.
  Where Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit is not in payment1 and:

  (a) basic retirement pension, invalidity benefit or widows' benefit is in payment at less than the standard rate, the additional amount will be a proportion of 50p or 20p, as appropriate, corresponding to the level of award in accordance with the contributory principle underlying these benefits,

  (b) only non-contributory retirement pension or invalid care allowance is in payment the additional amount will be 20p per week,

  (c) only graduated retirement benefit is in payment, or an award of retirement pension, invalidity benefit or widows' benefit consists solely of additional pension, the rate of benefit will not be increased beyond normal price indexation.

  Note 1—Pensioners receiving income support, including men aged 60 to 64, will be entitled to 50p per week, 70p for couples. These increases will feed through into housing benefit and council tax benefit.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the(a) maximum and (b) minimum amount of weekly housing allowance paid to a single unemployed person in the Doncaster area during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The maximum and minimum amounts of housing benefit paid to single unemployed persons in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, as at May 1992, the latest date for which information is available, were £55·59 and £4·44 respectively.

  Data Source:
  The housing benefit and community charge benefit management information system and the income support annual statistical inquiry. The inquiries are a 1 per cent. sample of cases in Great Britain in May 1992.

  Notes:

  1. The number of sample cases of the single unemployed in receipt of housing benefit from any individual local authority is likely to be very small. Therefore we cannot provide reliable figures for the minimum and maximum amount of housing benefit paid in Doncaster.

  2. The data have been obtained from a 1 per cent. sample of cases, therefore, the figures are the maximum and minimum in the sample and the lowest and highest amount payable may not have been included.

  3. "Housing allowance" has been assumed to mean housing benefit.

  4. "Unemployed" has been defined as those in receipt of unemployment benefit.

  5. 100 per cent. of eligible rent is paid for those with incomes at or below income support levels. Housing benefit is withdrawn on a tapered basis for each additional £1 of income above income support levels. This is reflected in the range of housing benefit in the sample.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secret ary of State for Social Security (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) of 3 February,Official Report, columns 837–38, regarding housing benefit, if he will give similar information for each region in Great Britain;

  (2) if he will provide for Scotland similar information to that provided by the Secretary of State for Social Security, in his answer of 3 February, Official Report, columns 837–38, regarding housing benefit.

  Mr. Burt
  I have been asked to reply.
  137
  Details for May 1992, the latest date for which information is available, are in the table.

  Housing Benefit Cases—000s—and average amounts of Housing Benefit—£/week—by tenure and region

  Local Authority

  Other Private

  Housing Association

  All Tenures

  Number of Cases

  Average Amount

  Number of Cases

  Average Amount

  Number of Cases

  Average Amount

  Number of Cases

  Average Amount

  South East (excluding London)

  327

  30·26

  170

  44·29

  50

  32·52

  547

  34·83

  London

  404

  39·53

  187

  52·46

  72

  40·14

  663

  43·25

  North (including Cumbria)

  270

  22·18

  45

  32·38

  36

  29·01

  351

  24·19

  Wales

  154

  25·86

  48

  33·41

  16

  35·00

  217

  28·18

  Scotland

  459

  22·12

  57

  36·85

  21

  25·43

  537

  23·81

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  286

  20·65

  67

  32·86

  24

  29·97

  377

  23·42

  East Midlands

  190

  22·67

  62

  33·97

  12

  29·52

  264

  25·64

  East Anglia

  88

  25·59

  37

  38·60

  11

  29·71

  136

  29·44

  South West

  168

  27·65

  98

  41·75

  15

  34·18

  281

  32·92

  West Midlands

  338

  25·41

  73

  32·75

  33

  32·43

  444

  27·13

  North West (excluding Cumbria)

  346

  24·47

  104

  37·04

  52

  26·78

  502

  27·31

  Total

  3,030

  26·45

  948

  40·69

  341

  32·24

  4,318

  30·03

  Data Source:

  The housing benefit and community charge benefit management information system 1 per cent. inquiry for May 1992 and the income support annual statistical 1 per cent. inquiry for May 1992.

  Notes:

  1 The figures are in benefit units and are rounded to the nearest thousand. A benefit unit may be a single person or a couple.

  2 The information for "Other Private Tenants" excludes that of housing association tenants.

  3 All cases where the assessed benefit was less than 50p per week have been excluded.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by year for the last four years how much has been paid in housing benefit; and to how many households in the Doncaster area.

  Mr. Burt
  The information for Doncaster is in the table.

  Financial year

  Annual expenditure £

  Average case load

  1989–90

  20,027,000

  23,625

  1990–91

  21,028,000

  22,699

  1991–92

  23,809,000

  22,571

  1992–93

  28,104,000

  23,691

  Data source:

  The housing benefit management information system.

  Notes:

  1. The annual expenditure amounts are the final or audited figures supplied by DSS and DOE.

  2. Details of the number of households receiving housing benefit in

  District

  Office(s)

  Dates

  Times

  Reasons

  Euston

  Highgate

  15 February 1994

  From 2 pm

  Adverse weather conditions affecting travel (AWCAT)

  Hackney and Islington

  Hackney

  14 February 1994

  All day

  Heating failure

  Hoxton

  14 February 1994

  From 2 pm

  AWCAT

  Companies House

  14 February 1994

  From 2 pm

  AWCAT

  Shoreditch

  14 February 1994

  From 2 pm

  AWCAT

  Stoke Newington

  14 February 1994

  From 2 pm

  AWCAT

  City East

  City

  14 February 1994

  10 am to 2 pm

  Electrical failure

  Tameside

  Hyde

  15 February 1994

  All day

  Electrical failure

  Sheffield West District

  Sheffield North West

  14 February 1994

  From 2.30 pm

  AWCAT

  Sheffield South West

  14 February 1994

  From 2.30 pm

  AWCAT

  The decision to close an office to the public is the responsibility of each individual manager. Such decisions are not taken lightly and are only made where it is felt that there may be a risk to the health or safety of the staff involved. Where there is any disruption to public service, this is kept to a minimum.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information provided on 8 February 1993,Official Report, column 502, for estimated
  138
  the Doncaster area are not available. The information provided is in the form of benefit units for the Doncaster area, based on averaged quarterly case load figures over a financial year. A benefit unit may be a couple in receipt of housing benefit or a single person in receipt of housing benefit.

  3. Case load is recorded at a particular point in time and will not record successful claims which start and finish between quarterly reporting periods.

  Local Offices (Cold Weather)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of his Department's offices were temporarily closed for the day, or part of the day during the period 14 to 16 February due to the cold weather; if he will list the location of the offices involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The following offices were closed in the period 14 to 16 February.

  average earnings in 1994–95, excluding the estimated effect of extending home responsibility protection to state earnings-related pension scheme entitlements, and including the effect of that proposed change.

  Mr. Hague
  The available information is in the table.
  139
  As explained in the earlier reply, the amounts of additional pension quoted related to an individual who had

  1994–95 Per cent.

  1994–95 £

  2015–16 £

  2025–26 £

  2035–36 £

  2045–46 £

  Basic Pension

  17·1

  57·60

  42·15

  36·30

  31·30

  26·95

  Average additional pension (women)

  11·5

  38·75

  46·10

  43·25

  42·10

  41·25

  Average additional pension (men)

  18·7

  63·10

  68·50

  56·95

  48·60

  43·75

  Notes:—

  The amounts of additional pension are based on the amounts of SERPS payable in each respective year to an individual who had average earnings in each year of his or her working life. They are not based on average additional pension awards to new pensioners as these cannot be estimated.

  Assumes real terms earnings growth of 1·5 per cent. per annum.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate for the Doncaster area the number of people who will be affected by the decision to reduce the entitlements to unemployment benefit from 12 months to six months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  This information is not availble. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Khabra) on 18 January, at column 559.

  Maternity Benefits
  Mrs. Angel Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will announce proposals for bringing maternity benefits in line with the EC directive on the protection of pregnant women at work.

  Mr. Lilley
  In August last year, I issued a consultation document which described options available for adapting our maternity benefits schemes to the requirements of the EC directive on the protection of pregnant women at work.

  I am grateful to all those organisations and individuals who responded. Their contributions proved very valuable in helping us to reach our final decisions.

  The main proposals of the new scheme are:
  Any woman who has been continuously employed in the same job for 26 weeks will be entitled to statutory maternity pay. This simple test replaces the present three tests which currently result in different rates of maternity pay depending on whether a woman has worked for 26 weeks, two years or five years in the same job.
  All women who qualify for SMP will now receive

  the higher rate—90 per cent.—of earnings for the first six weeks of their maternity leave, and

  for the remaining 12 weeks, the standard rate of SMP, which is increased by £3·70 per week to £52·50 in line with statutory sick pay.

  Maternity allowance is increased to £52·50 for qualifying employees; other recipients not covered by the directive will continue to receive £44·55.
  Women claiming MA will have a longer period before their baby is due to satisfy the 26-week contribution conditions—66 weeks instead of the present 52.
  Maternity leave and pay can begin at any time after the start of the 11th week before the week the baby is due. However, if a woman is on sick leave because of her pregnancy and there are fewer than six weeks before the baby is due, she will be deemed to be on maternity leave and entitled to maternity pay.

  To pay for the additional cost of around £55 million a year, the rate by which employers are reimbursed for the SMP they pay out is to be reduced to 92 per cent. from 4 September 1994. However, small employers will be completely protected. They will continue to be fully reimbursed for the cost of any SMP they pay. The
  140
  average earnings in each year of his or her working life. In these circumstances extension of home responsibilities to SERPS would have no effect.

  definition of "small employer" will be the same as the improved SSP definition from April—employers who pay £20,000 or less annually in gross national insurance contributions. Two thirds of employers—approximately 750,000 businesses—will be helped.

  As a whole, employers will not be out of pocket. The reduction in employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will more than compensate employers for the abolition of SSP reimbursement as well as the reduction in SMP reimbursement. The result of this package is a net gain for employers of some £125 million.

  Allowing women to receive SSP in the later stages of pregnancy if they are sick for reasons other than pregnancy will also add an extra £10 million in SSP costs. The combined cost of these changes means a total cost for industry of £65 million a year—less than 0·03 per cent. of the national wage bill, or approximately £230 per expectant mother receiving maternity benefits.

  The new arrangements will apply to women expecting a baby on or after 16 October 1994. The first payments for these women under the new rules will be made from the end of July—since women can take maternity leave up to 11 weeks before their baby is expected.

  These improved maternity payments will benefit 285,000 women. At the same time we have simplified the scheme to make it easier for employers to administer and women to understand.

  I will shortly be laying regulations to give effect to these proposals.

  Job Seeker's Allowance
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 691, how many people in (a) Nottingham city, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) nationally would be affected if the proposed job seeker's allowance came into operation on 1 March, or the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the form requested. Nationally, when job seeker's allowance is fully operational, it is estimated that at any one time around 250,000 people could be affected.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates rounded to nearest 10,000 cases.

  2. Estimates assume:

  (a) 2·75 million unemployed.

  (b) 1994–95 benefit rates.

  3. Estimates relate to a point in time rather than the number who could be expected to be affected at some point during a year.

  Income Support
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women have had their benefit cut for failure to attend a restart course.

  Mr. Burt
  Since December 1990, approximately 31,000 unemployed claimants received a reduced personal rate of income support after the adjudication officer decided they had failed to attend or complete a restart course without good reason.

  Details of the respective numbers of men and women affected are not held.

  Child Support Legislation
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 31 January, ref. 6/3644/72 on a child support legislation.

  Mr. Burt
  I replied to the hon. Member today.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend approves the following public appointments which are not identified in "Public Bodies 1993":

  Chairman of the Rural Development Council.

  Up to one third of the membership of the Community Relations Council—he maximum membership is 24.

  The lay observer.

  Chairmen of the boards of:

  The Belfast Harbour Commissioners

  Londonderry. Harbour Commissioners

  The Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

  The chairman of:

  The Negotiating Machinery for Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service (Schools)

  The Colleges of Education Negotiating Committee

  The Further Education (Lecturers) Negotiating Committee

  In addition, the Secretary of State appoints the independent commissioner for the holding centres, the independent assessor of military complaints procedures, the local government boundaries commissioner, one member to Armagh observatory board of governors and five members to Queen's university senate.

  The list of appointments are made directly by my right hon. and learned Friend and do not include those made on his behalf by other Ministers.

  Car Insurance
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have taken advantage of the concession in respect of third party insurance set out in Road Traffic (Third Party Risks) Order 1981 in each of the years in which it has been in force.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  No one has to date.

  Crime
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of(a) recorded criminal offences, (b) offences recorded as cleared up by the police and (c) convictions by (i) category of offence and (ii) into those scheduled for hearing under the prevention of terrorism Acts, and those otherwise dealt with, for each year since 1983 in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 4 March 1994 ]: The information requested is as follows:

  Table 1: Crimes recorded and crimes cleared up by the police 1983 to 1992

  Year

  Crimes recorded

  Crimes cleared

  1983

  62,493

  17,371

  1984

  65,352

  19,986

  1985

  63,025

  21,943

  1986

  66,284

  24,344

  1987

  61,779

  26,617

  1988

  55,890

  25,226

  1989

  55,147

  23,808

  1990

  57,198

  21,475

  1991

  63,492

  22,675

  1992

  67,532

  23,253

  Table 2: Conviction by category of offence 1983 to 1992

  Indictable offences

  Summary offences (excluding motoring offences

  Motoring offences

  1983

  8,317

  8,299

  24,145

  1984

  8,077

  7,754

  25,417

  1985

  8,568

  8,346

  27,255

  1986

  10,312

  6,093

  26,010

  1987

  10,650

  6,072

  28,200

  1988

  9,588

  6,071

  28,553

  1989

  8,422

  5,113

  26,096

  1990

  9,320

  4,293

  27,207

  1991

  8,893

  4,177

  20,133

  1992

  8,558

  4,114

  20,787

  Table 3: Conviction in the Crown Court 1983 to 1992: scheduled and non-scheduled offences

  Year

  Scheduled offences

  Non-scheduled offences

  1983

  577

  1,139

  1984

  464

  1,025

  1985

  625

  1,205

  1986

  567

  1,179

  1987

  680

  1,135

  1988

  487

  880

  1989

  414

  820

  1990

  440

  816

  1991

  388

  821

  1992

  354

  781

  A number of scheduled offences were also tried in the magistrates court.

  Court Cases
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases were dealt with by way of(a) magistrates courts, (b) trials by jury and (c) judges sitting alone under the prevention of terrorism Acts, and in

  143
  each category how many cases had (i) guilty pleas, (ii) convictions after pleas of not guilty and (iii) acquittals in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: The information requested is as follows:

  Number of findings in magistrates court by plea and finding 1983 to 1992

  Pleading guilty

  Found guilty after pleading not guilty

  Found not guilty

  1983

  35,665

  3,380

  2,780

  1984

  35,812

  3,947

  2.410

  1985

  38,786

  3,553

  2,772

  1986

  39,139

  1,530

  2,720

  1987

  41,469

  1,638

  3,160

  1988

  41,358

  1,487

  3,212

  1989

  37,963

  934

  3,072

  1990

  38,615

  949

  3,341

  1991

  31,188

  906

  2,970

  1992

  30,805

  1,519

  3,149

  Number of proceedings in Crown court for non-scheduled offences by plea and finding 1983 to 1992

  Pleading guilty

  Found guilty after pleading not guilty

  Found not guilty

  1983

  1,055

  84

  92

  1984

  926

  99

  96

  1985

  1,090

  115

  128

  1986

  1,101

  78

  84

  1987

  1,056

  79

  75

  1988

  783

  97

  91

  1989

  767

  53

  91

  1990

  716

  100

  136

  1991

  717

  104

  98

  1992

  673

  108

  110

  Note: "Non-scheduled offences" means those that do not fall within schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991, and are hence tried by a court with a jury.

  Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  Not known1

  Educated outside NI

  Total

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Administration and Clinical

  415

  37·0

  612

  54·5

  5

  0·4

  90

  8·0

  1,122

  100

  Maintenance

  85

  56·7

  55

  36·7

  3

  2·0

  7

  4·7

  150

  100

  Ancillary and General

  445

  40·2

  564

  50·9

  12

  1·1

  87

  7·9

  1,108

  100

  Nursing

  759

  25·7

  1,714

  58·1

  18

  0·6

  461

  15·6

  2,952

  100

  Social Services

  140

  27·9

  288

  57·5

  2

  0·4

  71

  14·2

  501

  100

  Professional and Technical

  199

  41·8

  226

  47·5

  —

  —

  51

  10·7

  476

  100

  Medical and Dental

  86

  28·6

  80

  26·6

  6

  2·0

  129

  42·9

  301

  100

  Ambulance

  52

  49·5

  43

  41·0

  1

  1·0

  9

  8·6

  105

  100

  Home Helps

  650

  36·1

  966

  53·7

  50

  2·8

  133

  7·4

  1,799

  100

  Total

  2,831

  33·3

  4,548

  53·4

  97

  1·1

  1,038

  12·2

  8,514

  100

  1 Those who attended integrated or special schools which cannot be classified.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all terrorist incidents in Northern Ireland since 1 January; and which have been the subject of admissions of responsibility by the IRA.
  144

  Number of proceedings in crown Court for scheduled offences by plea and finding 1983 to 1992

  Year

  Pleading guilty

  Found guilty after pleading not guilty

  Found not guilty

  1983

  464

  113

  61

  1984

  426

  38

  43

  1985

  552

  73

  73

  1986

  528

  39

  29

  1987

  634

  46

  33

  1988

  442

  45

  28

  1989

  373

  41

  42

  1990

  386

  54

  30

  1991

  343

  45

  35

  1992

  301

  53

  59

  Note:

  "Scheduled offences" are defined by the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991, and under the terms of the Act tried without a jury.

  Western Health and Social Services Board
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees of the Western health and social services board in each category of employment are(a) perceived Protestants, (b) perceived Roman Catholics, (c) persons educated outside Northern Ireland and (d) others.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: The information requested is provided in the table:

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 17 February 1994]: The list gives details of attacks believed to have been carried out by terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland from 1 January 1994.
  145

  Terrorist incidents in Northern Ireland from 1 January 1994 to 25 February 1994

  Date

  Incident

  Location

  Casualties

  Group believed to be responsible

  1 January 1994

  Incendiary devices exploded in 10 premises; one other was defused

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  Newtownabbey

  Dunmurry

  2 January 1994

  Shooting: indiscriminate attack

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  3 January 1994

  Shooting: shots fired at civilian leaving a Security force base

  Castlederg

  —

  Republican

  5 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Antrim

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  6 January 1994

  Shooting/hijacking: gunmen took over a house and shot occupant's son

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  6 January 1994

  Explosion: improvised grenade attack on Army patrol partially exploded; second device defused

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  7 January 1994

  Explosion: Mark 16 mortar attack on joint RUC/Army mobile patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  7 January 1994

  Explosion: Attack on Army patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  7 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  7 January 1994

  Explosion: device exploded when thrown at an Army patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  8 January 1994

  Shooting/bombing: propelled grenade attack and shots fired at public house

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  10 January 1994

  Explosion: mortar attack on joint Army/RUC base

  Crossmaglen

  2 soldiers injured, one seriously

  Republican

  10 January 1994

  Shooting: civilian shot at as he arrived at his place of work

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  10 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  11 January 1994

  Explosion: grenade attack on RUC vehicle

  Belfast

  3 police officers injured

  Republican

  11 January 1994

  Device thrown at joint RUC/Army patrol failed to explode; defused

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  12 January 1994

  Shooting/explosion: shots fired at joint RUC/ Army patrol, followed by explosion

  Belfast

  1 soldier very seriously injured

  Republican

  12 January 1994

  Device thrown at RUC patrol failed to explode; defused

  Lurgan

  —

  Republican

  13 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  14 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  15 January 1994

  Nine incendiary devices exploded in shop premises; six others were defused

  Greater Belfast/Newtownards

  —

  Republican

  17 January 1994

  Explosion: bomb exploded on waste ground

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  19 and 20 January 1994

  Four incendiary devices exploded in shop premises; six others were defused

  Coleraine/Limavady

  —

  Republican

  20 January 1994

  Explosion: device thrown at Army patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  21 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  22 January 1994

  Explosion: propelled grenade attack on joint RUC/Army patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  22 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civlian

  Belfast

  1 civlian injured

  Republican

  23 January 1994

  Incendiary attacks on two shop premises

  Lisnagelvin/Strabane

  —

  Republican

  146 147

  Date

  Incident

  Location

  Casualties

  Group believed to be responsible

  23 January 1994

  Explosion: device exploded in derelict building

  Dungannon

  2 civilians injured

  Republican

  23 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  24 January 1994

  Shooting/explosion: gunmen hijacked taxi; shots were subsequently fired, followed by explosion

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  24 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on RUC officer who returned fire

  Lisnaskea

  —

  Republican

  24 January 1994

  Explosion: bomb in video cassette exploded in civilian home

  Craigavon

  2 civilians injured

  Loyalist

  27 January 1994

  Explosion: bomb appeared to explode prematurely

  Londonderry

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  27 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilians

  Belfast

  1 civilian killed

  Loyalist

  27 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Ballymena

  1 civilian killed; 1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  28 January 19941

  Explosion: bomb attack on Army patrol; partially exploded

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  30 January 1994

  Explosion: propelled grenade attack on Army observation post

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  31 January 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  1 February 1994

  Explosion: Mark 15 mortar attack on security force patrol base

  Newry

  —

  Republican

  1 February 1994

  Explosion: device exploded as police were investigating reports of a smashed window

  Portadown

  1 police officer injured

  Loyalist

  2 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  3 February 1994

  Shooting: attack on taxi driver

  Newtownards

  1 civilian killed

  Loyalist

  3 February 1994

  Explosion: propelled grenade attack on RUC mobile patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  3 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on mini-bus

  Belfast

  2 civilians injured

  Loyalist

  4 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  4 February 1994

  Explosion: device partially exploded at RUC officer's home

  Londonderry

  —

  Republican

  5 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on workmen at RUC station

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  5 February 1994

  Incendiary devices exploded in four commercial premises

  Belfast/Lisburn

  —

  Republican

  6 February 1994

  Explosion: Mark 16 mortar attack on Army patrol

  Belfast

  3 soldiers injured

  Republican

  6 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Republican

  7 February 1994

  Explosion: mortar attack on Army observation post

  Glassdrumman

  —

  Republican

  8 February 1994

  Shooting: shots were fired at a house from a passing van

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  9 February 1994

  Explosion: an explosion occurred on a building site

  Lisburn

  —

  Loyalist

  9 February 1994

  Explosion: an explosion occurred on a footpath

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  11 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on house

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  11 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  148 149

  Date

  Incident

  Location

  Casualties

  Group believed to be responsible

  11 February 1994

  Explosion: bomb attack on Army mobile patrol

  Crossmaglen

  —

  Republican

  12 February 1994

  Coffee jar device thrown at RUC mobile patrol failed to explode; defused

  Cookstown

  —

  Republican

  12 February 1994

  Explosion: rocket attack on Sinn Fein Advice Centre

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  12 February 1994

  Incendiary device exploded in shop

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  12 February 1994

  Explosion: an explosion occurred as a civilian moved a traffic cone away from her car

  Craigavon

  1 civlian injured

  Loyalist

  13 February 1994

  Incendiary device exploded in restaurant

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  13 February 1994

  Incendiary device exploded in carpet store

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  13 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on two civilians

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  14 February 1994

  Explosion: "chocolate box" bomb attack on civilian

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  14 February 1994

  Explosion: "chocolate box" bomb attack on civilian

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  16 February 1994

  Explosion: bomb attack on Army patrol

  Belfast

  1 soldier injured

  Republican

  17 February 1994

  Explosion: propelled grenade attack on RUC vehicle

  Belfast

  1 police officer killed and 2 injured

  Republican

  17 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian on 17 February 1994. Victim died on 24 February 1994

  Belfast

  1 civilian killed

  Loyalist

  17 February 1994

  Explosion: premature detonation of bomb

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  18 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilians at Sinn Fein offices

  Belfast

  3 civilians injured

  Loyalist

  19 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian's house

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  19 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on GAA club

  Portadown

  —

  Loyalist

  19 February 1994

  Shooting: shots fired in street disturbance

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  20 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on taxi-driver

  Cookstown

  —

  Loyalist

  20 February 1994

  Explosion: attack on Army mobile patrol

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  20 February 1994

  Incendiary devices exploded in eight shops/licensed premises; one other was defused

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  Newtownabbey

  21 February 1994

  Explosion: Mark 15 mortar attack on RUC station

  Beragh

  —

  Republican

  21 February 1994

  Incendiary devices exploded in three shop premises

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  23 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  —

  Loyalist

  24 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Belfast

  1 civilian killed

  Republican

  25 February 1994

  Shooting: gun attack on civilian

  Lisburn

  1 civilian injured

  Loyalist

  25 February 1994

  An incendiary device exploded in a car showroom

  Belfast

  —

  Republican

  25 February 1994

  Incendiary devices exploded in two licensed premises; one other was defused

  Londonderry

  —

  Republican

  Note: Terrorist shooting attacks within own communities.
  150

  Downing Street Declaration
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) 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;

  (2) if he or his Department have now received a copy of the agreement between the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) and Mr. Gerry Adams.

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7 March 1994,Official Report, column 24.

WALES

  Housing
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what designated local authority areas were underfunded by housing associations in 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information as regards net programme outturn is as follows:

  Housing for Wales: outturn expenditure 1992–93 through housing associations by local authority area

  Net programme outturn1 £000

  Clwyd

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,522

  Colwyn

  2,745

  Delyn

  1,842

  Glyndwr

  1,107

  Rhuddlan

  1,902

  Wrexham Maelor

  3,432

  Dyfed

  Carmarthen

  1,975

  Ceredigion

  1,805

  Dinefwr

  2,053

  Llanelli

  2,444

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  1,990

  South Pembrokeshire

  912

  Gwent

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,359

  Islwyn

  1,409

  Monmouth

  4,207

  Newport

  5,882

  Torfaen

  1,989

  Gwynedd

  Aberconwy

  2,095

  Arfon

  2,971

  Dwyfor

  1,574

  Meirionnydd

  375

  Ynys Mon

  455

  Mid Glamorgan

  Cynon Valley

  3,226

  Merthyr

  1,649

  Ogwr

  4,728

  Rhondda

  2,216

  Rhymney Valley

  2,214

  Taff Ely

  1,731

  Powys

  Brecknock

  103

  152

  Net programme outturn1 £000

  Montgomeryshire

  2,730

  Radnor

  1,045

  South Glamorgan

  Cardiff

  24,005

  Vale of Glamorgan

  3,316

  West Glamorgan

  Lliw Valley

  1,113

  Neath

  1,557

  Port Talbot

  1,076

  Swansea

  10,547

  Total

  108,301

  1 Excludes £20·366 million credit approval transfers.

  GP Fundholders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the general practitioner fundholding practices in Clwyd and give the totals spent out of the allocations for each practice for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are 17 fundholding general practices in Clwyd at present, as follows:

  Dr. B. F. Bracewell and Partners, 14 Russell Road, Rhyl

  Dr. W. B. Clarke and Partners, Padeswood Road, Buckley

  Dr. C. W. Spencer and Partners, Padeswood Road, Buckley

  Dr. D. E. Jones and Partners, Vale Street, Denbigh

  Dr. J. G. Thomas and Partners, Bridge Street, Denbigh

  Dr. G. O. Jones and Partners, Coleshill Street, Holywell

  Dr. E. W. Jones and Partners, Regent Street, Llangollen

  Dr. G. W. Jones and Partners, 360 Abergele Road, Old Colwyn

  Dr. N. Evans and Partners, Ffordd Pendyffryn, Prestatyn

  Dr. J. N. Taylor and Partners, The Roe, St. Asaph

  Dr. D. Jones and Partners, Chapel Street, Wrexham

  Drs. Alstead, Saul and Partners, 40 St. Georges Crescent, Wrexham (Group)

  Dr. J. Tattersall and Partners, Gwersyllt, Wrexham

  Dr. R. Rouse and Partners, 98 Conway Road, Colwyn Bay

  Dr. D. Ryan and Partners, Gardden Road, Rhos

  Dr. W. Jolly and Partners, 38 Shotton Lane, Shotton

  Dr. S. B. Patel and Partners, Pwllycrochan Avenue, Colwyn Bay

  The last year for which spending against allocations is available is 1992–93 and the figures for the practices which were fundholding in that year are as follows:

  Allocation £

  Outturn £

  Dr. B. F. Bracewell and Partners

  2,159,000

  2,377,853

  Dr. W. B. Clarke and Partners

  1,083,000

  1,090,040

  Dr. C. W. Spencer and Partners

  1,322,000

  1,297,839

  Dr. D. E. Jones and Partners

  1,384,000

  1,414,880

  Dr. J. G. Thomas and Partners

  787,000

  804,204

  Dr. G. O. Jones and Partners

  1,183,000

  1,251,978

  Dr. E. W. Jones and Partners

  1,231,000

  1,270,065

  Dr. G. W, Jones and Partners

  1,691,000

  1,773,965

  Dr. N. Evans and Partners

  2,694,000

  2,843,887

  Dr. J. N. Taylor and Partners

  1,491,000

  1,609,687

  Total

  15,025,000

  15,734,398

  These figures are subject to, and have been audited, by the Audit Commission as part of the audit of the family health services authority.

  Tourism
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those private companies whose tourism marketing expenditure is partly financed by grants from the Development Board for Rural Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Development Board for Rural Wales has not given any grants towards the tourism marketing expenditure of private companies.

  The board does, however, work in partnership with the Wales tourist board, the British Tourist Authority, Mid Wales Tourism Ltd., the region's local authorities and the Welsh Rarebit-Welsh Gold Collection consortium, and promotes the region through its own brochure "Welsh Country Holidays" which is itself supported by the British Tourist Authority. All these activities benefit the tourism marketing of private companies by the increased promotion of mid-Wales.

  Health Care
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is proposing to take to improve the quality of health care in(a) Dyfed and (b) Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The health service in Wales has seen a significant improvement since 1979. By June.1993, the number of inpatients and day cases treated in our hospitals had increased by 71 per cent. and the number of out-patients had risen by 36 per cent. At the same time, the length of time people have to wait for treatment has never been shorter.

  Next year, the spending on the NHS will increase by 5·1 per cent. in cash terms, a figure well in excess of inflation for the economy as a whole.

  The NHS in Wales is committed to building on this impressive performance, and Dyfed will play its full part in providing better health care for patients.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many prosecutions have been taken under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Wales in each year since 1982 for(a) carrying out a potentially damaging operation to a site of special scientific interest and (b) contravening a nature conservation order under section 29; how many of these were successful; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  There have been three prosecutions taken under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Wales since 1982 for carrying out a potentially damaging operation. One, in 1985, was unsuccessful; the other two, in 1990 and 1991, were successful. There have been no prosecutions taken under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Wales since 1982 for contravening a nature conservation order under section 29.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many outstanding management agreements for Countryside Council for Wales for sites of special scientific interest protection there have been in 1993–94; what is the estimate of their cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  At 28 February 1994 there were 424 management agreements in force on SSSIs in Wales at a total cost of £1,113,227 in 1993–94 up to that date.

  Teachers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people(a) graduated or qualified and (b) failed in teacher training in each of the teacher training colleges and universities in Wales in 1993.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of United Kingdom students who successfully completed an initial teacher training course, leading to qualified teacher status, at each colleage of the university of Wales in 1992–93 is shown in the table. The information for courses completed at colleages of higher education in Wales is not yet available for 1992–93. Information on the number of students who failed to complete an initial teacher training course is not available.

  University of Wales1

  1992–93

  Aberystwyth

  257

  Bangor

  130

  Cardiff

  19

  Swansea

  272

  1 Information supplied by each college of the university of Wales as at October 1993.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many newly qualified teachers were appointed to permanent teaching posts by each local education authority in Wales in 1993.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not yet available.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many officers of local community health boards appointed by him are able to speak Welsh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym: Jones
  I do not appoint the officers of community health councils or health authorities. Information on the linguistic ability of health service staff is not held centrally.

  NHS Managers
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which NHS trusts in Wales have changed the contracts of employment of any managers or executives to cash in annual leave not taken.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for NHS trusts.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on managers in the NHS cashing in annual leave not taken.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Under the general Whitley council agreement which applies to NHS managers employed on centrally prescribed terms and conditions of service, payment in lieu of annual leave may be made in only two circumstances:

  (i) where the manager is prevented on account of ill-health from taking his or her normal leave entitlement in the final year of service, and

  (ii) where the manager dies in service.

  NHS trusts have the freedom to set local terms and conditions of service for their staff.
  155
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the monthly taxable emoluments of the five highest paid managers in each of the district health authorities in Wales in(a) March 1990, (b) July 1990, (c) March 1991, (d) July 1991 and (e) March 1992.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the monthly taxable emoluments of the five highest paid managers or executives in each of the district health authorities and NHS trusts in Wales in(a) July 1992, (b) March 1993, (c) July 1993 and (d) January 1994.

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

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which national health service trusts have established remuneration committees to establish local salary levels for managers and executives.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available centrally. Under new codes of conduct and accountability which my right hon. Friend proposes should come into effect from 1 April 1994, all NHS boards will be required to establish remuneration and terms of service committees.

  Health Services, Pembrokeshire
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many staff were employed by the Pembrokeshire NHS trust in(a) April 1992, (b) September 1992, (c) March 1993, (d) September 1993 and (e) January 1994;

  (2) how many staff were employed by the Pembrokeshire district health authority in (a) July 1990, (b) March 1991, (c) July 1991 and (d) March 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information available is given in the table. Information for March 1991 is not considered reliable.

  Staff in Post (Whole-time equivalents)

  Non-medical and dental

  Medical and dental

  Pembrokeshire Health Authority

  July 1990

  1,443

  n/a

  September 1990

  1,429

  82

  July 1991

  1,483

  n/a

  September 1990

  1,478

  82

  March 1992

  1,533

  n/a

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust

  April 1992

  1,498

  n/a

  September 1992

  1,547

  88

  March 1993

  1,557

  n/a

  September 1993

  1,540

  194

  December 1993

  1,517

  n/a

  n/a Denotes not available. Medical and dental staffing information is only available centrally as at 30 September.

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Pembrokeshire district health authority needed his permission to transfer capital resources from the 1991–92 accounts to revenue expenditure in the 1992–93 financial years for the Pembrokeshire NHS trust.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Revenue funds were carried forward by the Pembrokeshire health authority from 1991–92 to 1992–93 by making an advance payment into the bank account of the shadow Pembrokeshire NHS trust.156
  This arrangement subsequently came to the Department's attention when the authority's accounts for 1991–92 were being prepared. The Department has since made it clear that the accounts of shadow NHS trusts are to be regarded as accounts of the parent health authorities and cannot be used as a means of providing working capital for the trusts when they come into formal effect.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was, in cash and percentage terms, the rate of return on capital for the Pembrokeshire NHS trust in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94; and what rate is projected for 1994–95.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is as follows:

  1992–93—£1,438,000 or 4·7 per cent.

  1993–94—£1,955,000 or 7·0 per cent. (projected)

  1994–95—£1,688,000 or 6·0 per cent. (planned)

  For each year, the achieved rate of return is identified through the formal annual accounts process.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings his officials have had with officers of Pembrokeshire NHS trust, Pembrokeshire health authority, Clwyd health authority and Marlow hospital trust to discuss the service review report.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None. The director of the NHS in Wales has been sent a draft copy of the report in the light of his responsibilities as the accounting officer.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Pembrokeshire NHS trust achieved its target rate of return on capital in 1992–93.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1992–93 Pembrokeshire NHS trust achieved a pre-interest return of 4·7 per cent. against the initial planned target of 6 per cent.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he expects the service review report on the health service in Pembrokeshire to be published.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As the service review was commissioned jointly by Pembrokeshire NHS trust and Pembrokeshire health authority, this will be a matter for those two bodies.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the report jointly commissioned by the Pembrokeshire health authority and the Pembrokeshire NHS trust and the Welsh Office on the service review will be presented to the commissioning bodies.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for Pembrokeshire NHS trust and Pembrokeshire health authority as the joint commissioning bodies for the service review.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance he has given to the Welsh Development Agency in the preparation of its 1994 corporate plan; and whether he will set targets for the agency.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have today written to the chairman of the agency setting out the ways in which I expect the agency to contribute to the wider objectives of economic development in Wales. I have included targets for inward investment, the development of industrial and commercial floorspace, leverage for private sector investment, and the clearance of derelict land.
  157
  There are changes to some of the targets following discussions with the chairman and the WDA board. I have also given the WDA a specific target for inward investment within its overall inward investment plans. I have arranged for a copy of the letter to he placed in the Library of the House.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will take to assist those national health service trusts that do not achieve their target rate of return on capital.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  NHS trusts are currently required to achieve a 6 per cent. pre-interest return on their assets; break even, taking one year with another, and stay within the external financing limit set on an annual basis. Failure to meet any of those obligations will require appropriate action by the trust concerned, the extent of which will depend on the underlying causes of the variances from planned targets.

  Patient Treatment Numbers
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if it is his policy to limit the numbers of patients treated by health providers to that contained in the contracts with health purchasers.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  These arrangements are intended to ensure that all patients meant to be treated within the currency of a contract are treated within that time and, additionally, all urgent patients are to be treated without any delay.

HEALTH

  Long-stay Hospital Beds
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many long-stay hospital ward beds have been closed nationally and in the Wirral since the introduction of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

  Mr. Bowis
  The first full year of data following the introduction of the national health service aspects of the Act was 1991–92. These data exclude long-stay places provided by the NHS in the community or purchased from independent providers. It shows that between 1991–92 and 1992–93 there was at net increase of four long-stay hospital ward beds in the NHS in the Wirral and a net decrease of 6,832 in England.

  Asthma
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her assessment of the effect upon asthma sufferers of air pollution in London.

  Mr. Sackville
  On the few occasions when levels are high, those who suffer from respiratory disease such as asthma may experience some effects including respiratory irritation, some coughing and possible pain on deep inspiration when taking exercise out of doors. Advice and information is provided on the freephone helpline: 0800 556677.

  Minor Injuries Unit
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of(a) a full-time general practitioner and (b) an accident and emergency specialist in a minor injuries unit.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1992–93, general practitioners in Great Britain received an intended average net income of £40,010 for the provision of general medical services. The average earnings of a consultant, whose pay is agreed nationally, were £53,450 in the same year. Accident and emergency consultants may have their pay negotiated locally if they work in a national health service trust.

  Public Health
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has on which groups of people have experienced(a) an improvement and (b) a deterioration of health since 1979; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available data indicate that there have been improvements since 1979 for almost all groups. Examples are life expectancy, which has increased from 70 to 74 in males and from 76 to 79 for females, between 1979 and 1992 in England and Wales; and infant mortality rates which have almost halved in this period, falling from 12·8 to 6·5 per 1,000 live births in England.

  There are, however, some instances of negative trends: for example, the general household survey shows an increasing percentage of people reporting longstanding illness—from 27 per cent. of persons questioned in 1979 to 32 per cent. in 1992—although slightly fewer said that their activities were restricted by illness in the previous two weeks—13 per cent. compared with 12 per cent. in 1979.

  Such trends are reported in the first chapter of the chief medical officer's annual report "On the State of the Public Health", copies of which are available in the Library.

  The strategy for health launched by the Government in July 1992 has the overall aim of further continuing improvement in the health of the nation. This requires better monitoring of the health of the population, and we have initiated a major new health survey for England. Its expansion to 17,000 subjects in 1993 will, when the results are available, greatly increase the information about groups within the population, including regional variations and trends over time.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in practice in south-east Northumberland(a) take NHS patients and (b) took private patients only but took NHS patients until 1990.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At 30 September 1993 the number of dentists in the general dental service in the Northumberland family health services authority area, which includes south-east Northumberland, was 101. The comparable number at 30 September 1990 was 103. Dentists are independent contractors who make their own decisions about whether to accept patients under national health service arrangements.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many dental surgeons in the Bristol area provide treatment under Denplan and other dental care schemes, for the last three years for which figures are available;
  159
  (2) how many dental surgeons were operating exclusively within the NHS in the Bristol area for the last three years for which figures are available;

  (3) what percentage of dental costs in the Bristol area have been met (a) privately and (b) publicly for the years 1979, 1984, 1989 and each year since.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally. Dentists are independent contractors and free to choose whether or not to accept an individual patient, or category of patients, for national health service treatment and to review their decisions at any time.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the deregistered dental patients failed to get reregistered in the last year for which figures are available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is not possible to identify whether particular patients have sought reregistration but overall the number of adult patients registered has increased significantly since July 1992. All family health services authorities report that patients approaching them for help in obtaining national health service treatment can be assisted.

  Wansbeck Hospital
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the number of job losses in Wansbeck hospital in south-east Northumberland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None. This is a matter for the local health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. J. R. Baker, chairman of Northumberland health authority, for details.

  Prescribed List
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the value to the NHS of the savings made in 1992–93 from the removal of drugs from the NHS prescribable list.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  National Neurological Hospital
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received concerning the national neurological hospital, Queens square, London and its proposed closure.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Up to 3 March 1994 there have been 28 representations from hon. Members and 49 from members of the public.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are employed at the national neurological hospital, London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  As at 30 September 1992, the latest date for centrally held data, there were 950 whole-time equivalent staff employed by the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

  NHS Supplies Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a copy of the PE Consultancy report on the NHS Supplies Authority.
  160
  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) on 10 February, at column 423.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of hospital supplies are purchased through the NHS Supplies Authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  About half, on the basis that the total full-year value of National Health Service Supplies contracts on behalf of NHS hospital and community health services in 1992–93 was about £1·7 billion and the outturn total NHS HCHS spend on supplies in 1991–92, the latest year for which a figure is available, was about £3·5 billion.

  Glasses and Lenses
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what she estimates is the total number of people eligible for receiving assistance towards the purchase of glasses or lenses through the NHS low-income scheme in each year from 1991–92 to 1996–97.

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

  Estimated total number of national health service low-income scheme beneficiaries in Great Britain entitled to help with the cost of glasses or lenses 1991–92 to 1995–96

  Year

  Number1

  1991–92

  5,992,060

  1992–93

  6,738,032

  1993–94

  7,242,933

  1994–95

  7,610,330

  1995–96

  7,872,347

  1 Figures are families (individuals or couples) receiving income support or family credit, holders of AG2 and AG3 certificates and the members of their families named on the certificates. Figures for 1995–96 include recipients of disability working allowance with capital of £8,000 or less and their partners.

  Manchester University Health Services Management Unit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds were provided for the health services management unit at Manchester university in the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The health services management unit at Manchester university is not funded by the Department of Health. It is known that the unit received £211,330 in 1993–94 for specific projects carried out for the Department, and may have received such funding on other occasions. However, information on this is not separately identifiable.

  Corticosteroids
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines exist for doctors prescribing corticosteroids to pregnant women; and what research has been undertaken into the health effects of corticosteroids on pregnant women and their babies.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health has not issued specific guidelines on the prescribing of corticosteroids to pregnant women. The Department is aware that both the Royal College of Obstetricians and
  161
  Gynaecologists and a joint working group of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians have published guidelines about prescribing corticosteroids to pregnant women for the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The Department has also funded a review of research into this matter which was published in "Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth". Attention has been drawn to these guidelines through EL(93)115 which was sent to all national health service managers and directors of public health. Extensive clinical trials have shown that administration of corticosteroids, to women who are about to deliver prematurely, reduces the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the infant. Copies of "Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth" and EL(93)115 are available in the Library.

  Travellers
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she was consulted in the drafting of sections 58 to 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill on the effect of providing health care to the children of travellers following any repeal of the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  Mr. Bowis
  Yes.

  Head Injuries
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list hospitals in England which employ multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams for treating local patients who have suffered severe head injuries.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department is providing funding of over £1 million per year to the following hospitals and units to develop rehabilitation services for people with head injuries:

  Regional rehabilitation centre, Hunters Moor hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  Leeds head injury team, St. Mary's hospital, Leeds

  Derbyshire royal infirmary and Derby City hospital, Derby

  City hospital, Nottingham

  Central Sheffield university hospitals

  Regional neurological rehabilitation unit, Homerton hospital, London

  Rivermead rehabilitation centre, Oxford

  Rayners Hedge physical rehabilitation service, Aylesbury

  Stroke and rehabilitation unit, Royal Cornwall hospital (City), Truro

  Frenchay healthcare trust, Bristol

  Neurobehavioural rehabilitation unit, St. Edward's hospital, Cheddleton, and Neurorological rehabilitation unit, Haywood hospital, Burslem

  Community unit, Worcester district health authority

  Other national health service trusts and health authority units are also developing services.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement concerning the initiatives her Department has taken to assist those in the medical profession who are pioneering treatment for those suffering from multiple sclerosis;

  (2) if she will make a statement concerning her future policy development as it affects neurological matters.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department is providing funding for a study being carried out at the university of Cardiff entitled 162
  "Walking and Mobility in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis—Is Modification by Physiotherapy Effective". The study is due to finish in June 1995. Research is primarily a matter for the Medical Research Council which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In addition to research directly on multiple sclerosis, the Medical Research Council also supports research on a number of related topics, in particular muscle and neuroscience research, which may shed light on the causes and mechanisms and potential therapies.

  The treatment and management of multiple sclerosis, as for other neurological conditions which result in physical disability, are primarily a matter for the medical practitioners concerned. It is for the district health authority or general practitioner fundholder to enter into arrangements with hospital and community units to ensure that the necessary range of services is available. The National Health Service Management Executive priorities and planning guidelines—EL(93)54—for 1994–95, copies of which are available in the Library, require regional health authorities to ensure that services for people with physical disabilities meet local standards in all districts based on the assessment of need and consultation with disabled people and carers.

  Research Units
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 2 February 1993,Official Report, columns 721–22, what decisions have been taken about the renewal of contracts of research units whose site visit reports have been completed; and, for each the decisions which have been taken, whether new contracts are being offered and their nature and period of time for which they will apply.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 26 November 1993 at columns 242–44. We have not yet completed the series of site visits.

  Health Authorities and Trusts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the names of the chief executives and general managers of each of the regional and district health authorities in England with the correspondence addresses of each of the authorities and the parliamentary constituencies covered by each of the health authorities;

  (2) if she will list the NHS trusts currently operating in England and the parliamentary constituencies within which each trust lies; and if she will list the names of the chief executives of each of these NHS trusts and the correspondence addresses of each of the trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on the address of each health authority and trust in England and the name of each chief executive and general manager is published annually in the national health service yearbook. Information on the relevant constituencies can be obtained from the House of Commons Public Information Office.

  Pharmaceutical Drugs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of pharmaceutical drugs returned for destruction were(a) over-the-counter products, (b) time expired pharmacists' stock and (c) prescription medicines in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
  163
  Dr. Mawhinney
  No data about medicines returned to pharmacies for destruction have been collected to date.

  Transport, London
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) in 1981 and (b) in 1991 (i) the mode of travel to work of residents by London borough, (ii) the mode of travel to work of employees by London borough of employment, (iii) the location of employment of residents by London borough and (iv) the level of car ownership by London borough.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information has been, or is soon to be, published in census reports to Parliament, copies of which are in the Library. The following list gives references for the figures requested.

  Means of travel to work by London borough of residence

  1981—Census 1981, workplace and transport to work, England and Wales (Table 6).

  1991—1991 census county report, inner London, Part 2 (Table 82); and 1991 census county report, outer London, Part 2 (Table 82).

  Means of travel to work by London borough of employment

  1981—Census 1981, workplace and transport to work, England and Wales (Table 6).

  1991—1991 census, workplace and transport to work, Great Britain1 (Table 6).

  Area of employment by London borough of residence

  1981—Census 1981, workplace and transport to work, England and Wales (Table 2A).

  1991—1991 census, workplace and transport to work, Great Britain1 (Table 2).

  Cars in households by London borough

  1981—Census 1981, county report, Greater London, Part 1 (Table 31).

  1991—1991 census county report, inner London, Part 1 (Table 21), and 1991 census county report, outer London, Part 1 (Table 21).

  1 1991 census, workplace and transport to work, Great Britain is due for publication in May 1994. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts in England failed to meet their target return on capital in 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The trusts that recorded a return of less than 6 per cent. in their accounts for 1992–93 were:

  Airedale NHS Trust

  Allington NHS Trust

  Anglian Harbours Health Trust

  Barnsley Community and Priority Services NHS Trust

  Bedford Hospital NHS Trust

  Bradford Community Health NHS Trust

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust

  Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust

  Chester and Halton Community NHS Trust

  Christie Hospital NHS Trust

  Devon Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Ealing Hospital NHS Trust

  East Hertfordshire Health NHS Trust

  Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust

  Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust

  Liverpool Obstetrics and Gynaecological NHS Trust

  Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust

  Mount Vernon Hospital NHS Trust

  North East Essex Mental Health NHS Trust

  Newcastle Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  Norfolk Ambulance Services NHS Trust

  164

  Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust

  North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

  North Tees Health NHS Trust

  Northumbrian Ambulance NHS Trust

  Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust

  Nottingham Community Health NHS Trust

  Poole Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal Cornwall Hospitals and West Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal Surrey County and St. Lukes NHS Trust

  Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

  South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  South Bedfordshire Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Southend Health Care NHS Trust

  Southport and Formby Hospital NHS Trust

  St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust

  St. James' University Hospital NHS Trust

  St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trust

  United Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust

  West Dorset Community Health NHS Trust

  West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust

  West Dorset Mental Health NHS Trust

  Walsgrave Hospital NHS Trust

  Wellhouse NHS Trust

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 1 March,Official Report, columns 681–82, who was present at the meeting held between her Department's officials and representatives of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association on 23 February; what was the outcome of the meeting; and when the next meeting will take place.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The meeting was attended by Department of Health officials and representatives of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association. The content of the meeting is confidential. A further meeting was held on 4 March.

  Incontinence Services
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the statutory responsibilities of(a) district health authorities, (b) trusts and (c) family health services authorities for the provision of incontinence services;

  (2) what requirements exist in respect of minimal standards of provision of incontinence services;

  (3) what requirement is placed on district health authorities, trusts and family health services authorities to publicise the availability of incontinence services.

  Mr. Bowis
  Where there is shown to be a medical need for health services, health authorities, national health service trusts and family health services authorities have a general duty to provide them, subject to priorities set for the use of the resources available. The NHS planning guidelines for 1994–95—EL(93)54—issued on 29 June 1993 require district health authorities to ensure that continence services conform to the guidelines in the departmental report "An Agenda for Action on Continence Services" which was issued to the chairmen of NHS authorities in 1991. Copies of both documents are available in the Library. The report lists the key features of an effective local service including active publicity work. The 1994–95 planning guidelines also require health authorities to set specific challenging targets for reductions in the prevalence of treatable incontinence.
  165
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made within fundholding general practice budgets for incontinence services.

  Mr. Bowis
  No specific provision is made but all general practitioners advise their patients on problems of incontinence.

  Day Surgery
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing for each region, for each of the last four quarters, the number of patients waiting for day surgery(a) under 12 months and (b) over 12 months.

  Day case hospital treatment figures Provisional waiting times figures

  Provider-based

  March 1993

  June 1993

  September 1993

  December 1993

  Region

  0–11 months

  12+ months

  0–11 months

  12+ months

  0–11 months

  12+ months

  0–11 months

  12+ months

  Northern

  23,289

  369

  23,289

  730

  24,507

  951

  25,623

  1,157

  Yorkshire

  22,502

  726

  24,211

  1,128

  24,644

  1,387

  26,808

  1,684

  Trent

  25,434

  898

  27,823

  929

  28,851

  1,129

  31,746

  1,269

  East Anglian

  11,922

  387

  12,384

  491

  13,054

  657

  14,439

  680

  North West Thames

  17,807

  1,035

  19,078

  1,068

  20,313

  1,262

  21,072

  1,591

  North East Thames

  29,552

  1,398

  30,265

  1,757

  32,802

  2,238

  36,201

  3,083

  South East Thames

  21,328

  1,322

  22,600

  1,277

  24,434

  1,389

  28,480

  1,930

  South West Thames

  21,053

  518

  23,214

  955

  25,037

  1,289

  27,451

  1,486

  Wessex

  20,889

  935

  19,662

  1,060

  20,146

  1,008

  19,180

  768

  Oxford

  13,839

  518

  14,445

  578

  14,665

  537

  15,291

  445

  South Western

  23,035

  53

  23,730

  155

  23,755

  168

  24,323

  142

  West Midlands

  32,437

  953

  34,421

  1,250

  36,196

  1,540

  39,329

  1,861

  Mersey

  21,638

  24

  22,752

  114

  22,073

  56

  22,411

  0

  North Western

  29,600

  1,601

  31,661

  1,725

  32,889

  1,825

  35,471

  1,827

  ALL REGIONS

  314,325

  10,737

  329,535

  13,217

  343,366

  15,436

  367,825

  17,923

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by region and name each proposed hospital closure notified to her Department for each year since 1988; whether the hospital closed, merged, changed its function or was downsized; and what was the number of beds each hospital had at its closure date.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department requires formal notification only where proposed closures are contested by the community health councils. The detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of social workers based in hospitals for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Bowis
  For 1979 to 1992 this information is not available centrally. The information for 1993 is still being validated.

  Care Packages
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy in respect of care packages for individuals or their relatives who refuse to accept discharge arrangements from hospital into independent sector residential or nursing care.

  Mr. Bowis
  'Where an individual does not want, for whatever reason, to be discharged to a nursing home or
  166
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on waiting lists for hospital day case treatment by regional health authority and in annual time bands is shown in the table. There has been a rise of around 7,000 since March 1993 in the number of patients waiting more than a year for day case treatment. However, the fact remains that the number fell dramatically from nearly 33,000 in December 1989, to less than 11,000 in March 1993.

  It is the time people wait that matters not the number waiting. Half of all admissions to hospital are immediate. Of those admitted from waiting lists almost half are admitted within five weeks, nearly 75 per cent. within three months and 98 per cent. within a year.

  residential care home the local and health authorities should seek to work together with the individual and their family or carer to find a satisfactory alternative solution.

  Health Information Service
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many calls the health information service has received since it was set up;

  (2) how many people are employed to answer calls in the health information service;

  (3) what was the cost of setting up the health information service, including publicity; and what are the running costs of the service.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information, in the form requested, is not available centrally. A special trawl of regions has produced the information set out below.

  The number of calls received by the health information service in the period April 1992 to December 1992 was 51,252. In the period between 26 January 1993, when the freephone facility was set up, to 31 December 1993 the number of calls was 136,293, making a total of 187,545.

  The number of staff employed to answer the telephones is 31.5 whole-time equivalent personnel.

  The total setting-up costs for the regions for 1992–93 were £379,182 and £209,257 for publicity, totalling £588,439, and for 1993–94 £287,686 and £156,701 for publicity, totalling £444,387.

  The total setting-up costs for the Department of Health were £397,000. The running costs of the health information service operated by all regions were £899,113 for 1992–93 and £1,401,127 for 1993–94.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has issued to regulate extra-contractual referrals; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Current guidance is contained in FDL(93)07—"Consolidation of Guidance on Extra-Contractual Referrals, Tariffs and Invoicing"—and HSG(93)8—"Guidance on Operation of Notification Arrangements for Tertiary Extra-Contractual Referrals"—copies of which will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring her Department undertakes of the rate of extra-contractual referrals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The National Health Service Management Executive quarterly monitoring system collects information by regional health authority on their forecast outturn spend on extra-contractual referrals compared with their planned levels of spend.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 24 January, ref. 4/4593/21 and originally written to the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Mr. Bowis
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 3 March.

  Patient Waiting Times
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing for each divisional health authority area, for each of the last four quarters, the number of patients waiting for treatment(a) less than 12 months and (b) more than 12 months.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on waiting lists for in-patient and day case treatment by district health authority is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", which is published twice yearly. In addition, provisional figures are published quarterly but only on a regional health authority basis. Copies of both are available in the Library.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) acute and (b) non-acute beds were available in each region, each district, each special health authority and for the nation as a whole for each year from 1987.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in "Bed availability for England, Financial Year 1992–93", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Emergency Admissions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of state for Health if she will provide a table showing the number of emergency hospital admissions by region for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of finished consultant episodes that are non-elective admissions by regional 168
  health authority for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94—forecast and subject to revision—are shown in the table. Directly comparable information for earlier years is not available. The information is for the general and acute specialities and has been compiled on a purchaser basis in order to reach regional totals. It is estimated that over 80 per cent. of non-elective admissions are emergencies.

  General and acute—'000s

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Forecast 1993–94

  Northern Non-electives

  255·0

  257·0

  263·7

  Total

  553·8

  560·9

  579·6

  Percentage

  47·8

  45·8

  45·5

  Yorkshire Non-electives

  295·8

  304·7

  304·0

  Total

  616·5

  644·3

  669·2

  Percentage

  48·0

  47·3

  45·4

  Trent Non-electives

  345·1

  359·4

  379·6

  Total

  705·7

  751·9

  806·3

  Percentage

  48·9

  47·8

  47·1

  East Anglian Non-electives

  137·3

  144·1

  144·3

  Total

  280·9

  293·4

  310·9

  Percentage

  48·9

  49·1

  46·4

  North West Thames Non-electives

  217·8

  224·6

  220·3

  Total

  471·6

  490·4

  497·9

  Percentage

  46·2

  45·8

  44·2

  North East Thames Non-electives

  273·6

  266·1

  271·7

  Total

  534·4

  530·6

  552·7

  Percentage

  51·2

  50·2

  49·2

  South East Thames Non-electives

  248·7

  256·1

  261·3

  Total

  510·6

  535·8

  550·5

  Percentage

  48·7

  47·8

  47·5

  South West Thames Non-electives

  195·3

  199·8

  200·0

  Total

  421·0

  429·7

  433·7

  Percentage

  46·4

  46·5

  46·1

  Wessex Non-electives

  195·1

  219·9

  228·6

  Total

  455·1

  482·1

  501·5

  Percentage

  42·9

  45·6

  45·6

  Oxford Non-electives

  155·6

  156·5

  161·5

  Total

  316·9

  342·8

  357·5

  Percentage

  49·1

  45·7

  45·2

  South Western Non-electives

  218·9

  230·2

  244·3

  Total

  488·0

  527·4

  556·2

  Percentage

  44·9

  43·7

  43·9

  West Midlands Non-electives

  356·8

  380·7

  399·0

  Total

  755·0

  799·7

  821·9

  Percentage

  47·3

  47·6

  48·5

  Mersey Non-electives

  207·0

  218·8

  226·7

  Total

  395·0

  429·2

  456·8

  Percentage

  52·4

  51·0

  49·6

  North Western Non-electives

  340·8

  339·0

  351·0

  Total

  721·9

  748·4

  788·0

  Percentage

  47·2

  45·3

  44·5

  ENGLAND Non-electives

  3,442·8

  3,556·9

  3,655·8

  Total

  7,206·5

  7,566·5

  7,882·6

  Percentage

  47·8

  47·0

  46·4

  Source:1991–92, 1992–93 (Quarter 4) Quarterly Monitoring

  1993–94 (Quarter 3) Quarterly Monitoring

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Royal Palaces (Security)
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of the cost of security arrangements at the royal palaces fell on the Exchequer, including police and Army wages, in the last year for which figures are available;

  (2) who is operationally responsible for overseeing security at royal palaces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Operational responsibility for overseeing security at the royal palaces and residences rests with the chief officer of police concerned. Within the Metropolitan police district all aspects of royalty protection are the responsibility of a deputy assistant commissioner who reports directly to the Commissioner. The effectiveness of the arrangements made for royalty protection is examined regularly by the standing group for monitoring royalty protection which was established in 1982 and reports to me from time to time. For security reasons, it would not be right to give a breakdown of the costs involved, but I can confirm that nearly all the costs incurred fall to the Exchequer.

  Private Clubs
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his definition of a private club; and how many private clubs are operating in each standard region of England.

  Mr. Maclean
  The term "private club" has no particular legal significance. It could be applied to a wide range of associations and establishments, such as political clubs, sports clubs and philatelist clubs. There is no requirement for private clubs to be registered as such, and the Government have no information as to their numbers.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review present legislation governing inspection and enforcement of fire regulations at private clubs; and what assessment he has made of the changes necessary as a result of the recent tragedy in London.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The fire safety scrutiny set up by the Government, which began its work on 17 January 1994, is looking at the operation and effectiveness of all legislation dealing with fire safety, and with the organisational arrangements of all bodies responsible for enforcing it.

  Any decision about the need for changes to the legislation must await the outcome of that scrutiny and of the inquiries which are currently being conducted into the tragic fire at the Dream City Club.

  Passports
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent, and is planning to spend in the next year, on market testing for the issue of United Kingdom passports.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Estimated expenditure on the three United Kingdom Passport Agency projects which were included in the Department's 1992–93 market-testing 170
  programme is about £5,000. The extent of future spending on market testing will depend on the outcome of the current review of the agency's framework document which includes an examination of the scope for market testing.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average fine imposed on individuals found guilty of possession of cannabis.

  Mr. Maclean
  In 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, the average fine for the offence of unlawful possession of cannabis was £74.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the proposal to increase the maximum fine for possession of cannabis.

  Mr. Maclean
  Apart from several general inquiries from members of the public, we have had forwarded by hon. Members nine letters on the proposed increase in fines for the illegal possession of class B and class C drugs.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the EU member states and the states about to join the EU which use identity cards or unique personal reference numbers, outlining the degree of obligation to produce evidence of identity in each state.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The following European Union member states use national identity cards:

  Belgium

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Italy

  Luxembourg

  The Netherlands

  Portugal

  Spain

  With the exception of the Netherlands, we understand that the police are able to request proof of identity in each of these member states. We understand that new legislation will come into effect in the Netherlands on 1 June 1994 which will oblige Dutch nationals to provide proof of identity in certain defined circumstances.

  In Denmark all citizens are issued with a "central person register" number. This is used for administrative purposes. The police may request proof of identity although we understand that the CPR number is not accepted as such proof.

  Information about those states about to join the European Union is not readily available.

  Firearms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the increase in firearms imported illegally from eastern Europe since 1988.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There is no doubt that the breakup of the former Soviet Union and the demise of the Warsaw pact has led to a greater availability of firearms on the world market. I know that HM Customs is aware of this increased risk and is taking steps to counter it.

  Anti-drug Policies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report "The Use of Drugs by Young People in Newcastle"; and what assessment he has made of the outcome of Government anti-drug policies in the light of the report.

  Mr. Maclean
  The research reported on in "The Use of Drugs by Young People in Newcastle", by Dr. Leslie Gofton of the University of Newcastle, was funded with a grant from the Newcastle drugs prevention team. Publication will be arranged by Dr. Gofton.

  The research consisted of some group interviews with young people about their leisure activities and drug use and a survey of the self-reported drug usage of 263 18 to 25-year-olds. The research provided insights into the nature of local drug use, and of young people's leisure preferences, which the Newcastle drugs prevention team has taken into account in the development of its local work, including "Take Notice", a local drugs prevention information campaign aimed at young people. But the samples demographic profile was not representative of the general population of young people, in Newcastle or elsewhere.

  Police Resignations
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have resigned from each police force since January 1993; how many of the resignations since January 1993 are attributable to debts payable to the Child Support Agency; and how many of the resignations since January 1993 cite the Child Support Agency as the reason for the resignation.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The numbers of resignations for the period January to December 1993 are shown in the tables. Information on the reasons for an officer's resignation is not held centrally.

  Table showing resignations from police forces from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1993

  Force

  Resignations

  Avon and Somerset

  20

  Bedfordshire

  14

  Cambridgeshire

  9

  Cheshire

  12

  Cléveland

  4

  Cumbria

  14

  Derbyshire

  6

  Devon and Cornwall

  9

  Dorset

  15

  Durham

  6

  Dyfed Powys

  5

  Essex

  19

  Gloucestershire

  12

  Greater Manchester

  39

  Gwent

  5

  Hampshire

  22

  Hertfordshire

  15

  Humberside

  8

  Kent

  34

  Lancashire

  29

  Leicestershire

  10

  Lincolnshire

  8

  Merseyside

  19

  Norfolk

  .17

  Northamptonshire

  16

  Northumbria

  19

  North Wales

  14

  North Yorkshire

  6

  172

  Force

  Resignations

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  South Wales

  7

  South Yorkshire

  14

  Staffordshire

  18

  Suffolk

  13

  Surrey

  8

  Sussex

  31

  Thames Valley

  41

  Warwickshire

  5

  West Mercia

  19

  West Midlands

  50

  West Yorkshire

  35

  Wiltshire

  8

  City of London

  6

  Metropolitan

  99

  Total

  769

  Women's Organisations
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants have been made to the National Alliance of Women's Organisations from the Home Office voluntary services unit since 1979; what assistance will be available in the future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No grants have been made by the voluntary services unit to the National Alliance of Women's Organisations. As I made clear on 2 February, column 703, in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson), there are insufficient resources to fund this organisation in 1994–95.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from women's voluntary organisations regarding reductions in core funding from the voluntary services unit for the National Alliance of Women's Organisations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The voluntary services unit has not provided the National Alliance of Women's Organisations with any core funding. Since 1 February, seven letters about the funding of this body have been received in the Home Office from other women's voluntary organisations.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy with regard to the funding of voluntary organisations representing women's issues; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Women's issues are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 634, how many (a) men and (b) women fine defaulters in prison on 31 January had failed to pay fines valued at between (a) less than £50, (b) between £50 and £100, (c) between £100 and £250, (d) between £250 and £500 and (e) in excess of £500.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Crime (Street Lighting)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has carried out into the effect of street lighting on levels of crime.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The most recent Home Office research on street lighting and crime and the fear of crime was published in August 1991—crime prevention unit paper 28 "The Influence of Street Lighting on Crime and Fear of Crime" and crime prevention unit paper 29 "The Effect of Better Street Lighting on Crime and Fear: a Review". Copies of both are in the Library of the House.

  Charities
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the legal powers of the Charity Commission to investigate malpractice within charities; and what is the range of penalties open to the Charity Commissioners to penalise trustees if malpractice is found.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Under section 8 of the Charities Act 1993, the Charity Commission, or a person appointed by it, may institute inquiries with regard to charities or a particular charity or class of charities, either generally or for a particular purpose.

  If malpractice is found, the commission can:

  (a) suspend and, if necessary, remove trustees;

  (b) appoint additional trustees;

  (c) freeze bank accounts;

  (d) prohibit all further fund raising;

  (e) stop further actions by the trustees in dealing with the charity's property;

  (f) refer the matter to the appropriate authorities for them to consider legal proceedings for the recovery of charity property or to compensate the charity for any loss;

  (g) refer the matter to the police.

  In less serious cases, the commission may simply give charities a warning and ensure that faults are put right. If necessary, the commission will monitor the activities of the charity.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the legal obligations of the Charity Commission to publish details of its investigations into malpractice among charities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The commission is not legally obliged to publish details of investigations it undertakes. The commission does, however, have discretion, where it thinks appropriate to publish the investigator's report in full or to publish extracts from, or statements about, the report.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the legal powers of the Charity Commission to compel charities to hand over lists of their donors; and what is the range of penalties open to the Charity Commission to penalise charities if they refuse to do so.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Charity Commission has the power to require any person to provide it with information or documents which relate to a charity and which it is necessary for the commission to have in order to discharge its functions properly.

  If a person refuses to provide information sought by the commission using this power, the commission may apply to the High Court to have the person dealt with as if he had disobeyed a court order.
  174
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 948, how many people were interviewed during the course of the Charity Commission's investigation into the relationship between the Foundation for Business Responsibilities and Aims of Industry; who they were; and how much money had been paid to Aims of Industry in each year between 1988 and 1991.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Charity Commission that no personal interviews were held during the inquiries made into the relationship between the Foundation for Business Responsibilities and Aims of Industry.

  The published accounts of the Foundation for Business Responsibilities do not show details of payments made to Aims of Industry as expenditure broken down other than into the categories of accommodation, service charges and research. Charities are not required to provide further detail in their accounts.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of unlawful political activity by charities have been investigated by the Charity Commission since 1990; and in how many cases the commission found against the charity concerned.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Since 1990 a total of 76 complaints about improper political activity have been investigated. Of these, 24 were upheld.

  Mediation
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy actively to promote the wider use of mediation by providing appropriate funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The role which mediation might play in the criminal justice system was examined by an inter-departmental working group in 1992. Within the sphere of the Home Office's responsibilities, it was concluded that mediation or reparation might usefully complement a caution. The efficacy of a number of schemes which link mediation with a caution is being examined. Victim-offender mediation has been taken forward by individual probation services and funding has been provided to local mediation schemes under 10 of the safer cities projects.

  European Community
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements exist for the representation of the European Commission on the body known as steering group I which reports to the article K4 committee under the intergovernmental co-operation procedures; and what opportunities will exist for the examination of the work of steering group I by the European and United Kingdom Parliaments.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The European Commission is fully associated with work under title VI of the treaty on European Union, and its representatives attend all meetings of steering group I.

  The Government have put forward proposals for parliamentary scrutiny by the United Kingdom Parliament of the work carried out under title VI which includes that carried out by steering group I.
  175
  Article K6 of the treaty sets out the basis on which the European Parliament will be informed and consulted on the work carried out under title VI.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if articles of the main agreement establishing the European Economic Area which extend the right of free movement to nationals of Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are directly enforceable; and what plans he has to allow them to be relied upon as a basis for legal actions in the United Kingdom courts.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Since 1 January 1994, when the European Economic Area agreement came into force, nationals of Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have been treated in the same way as European Community nationals for immigration purposes. An Order in Council section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994, will shortly be laid before Parliament in order to transpose into United Kingdom law the relevant European Community directives relating to the rights of free movement and residence for European Economic Area nationals.

  Police Pay
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take action to ensure that the assessment bonuses part of future police pay is directed to those who most effectively serve their community;

  (2) if the payment of housing allowances, which will be discontinued for police officers recruited after September, will still be payable to policemen currently serving but who do not purchase their own house until after that date;

  (3) if he will ensure that all police officers whose duties require them to work in plain clothes and not a uniform continue to receive adequate tax-free allowances.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have asked the police negotiating board to make recommendations on police pay, overtime and allowances by Easter.

  Dogs
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individual Acts of Parliament contain legislation relating to dogs; if he will list their titles; and if he will consider introducing a single consolidated Dogs Act.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The following legislation relates exclusively to dogs:

  Dogs Act 1871

  Dogs Act 1906

  Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

  Breeding of Dogs Act 1973

  Guard Dogs Act 1975

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1989

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

  Breeding of Dogs Act 1991

  There are references to dogs, or provisions relevant to dogs, in a number of other Acts, including general animal welfare legislation. We have no current plans to seek consolidation of the law in this area.

  Prisoners (Provisons Costs)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for the variation of provisions cost per prisoner varying from £9·03 to £12·11 per week.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  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. Martin Redmond, dated 8 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the variation in the costs of inmates' food.
  Costs per head will vary for a number of reasons, which will include the mix of religious and cultural backgrounds of inmates in a particular establishment which will influence the number of ethnic and religious diets to be provided.
  The regime of an establishment will also have some impact upon food costs; for example, the provision of packed meals for inmate working parties, whether bread is produced in-house or purchased and the use of frozen meals where inmates return late to the establishment.
  Establishments with large health care facilities may have a higher requirement for more expensive medical diets.

  Refugees
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the full results of the first stage of the joint Home Office-university of Salford study on the settlement of refugees in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The report on the first stage of this study is currently being examined. A date for publication has not yet been decided.

  DTELS
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the sale of DTELS on 28 February with specific reference to the issue of employee consultations over the pension scheme of National Transcommunications Ltd.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The sale of DTELS to National Transcommunications Ltd.—NTL—was completed on 1 March. Staff and unions were aware throughout the sale process that it was a requirement that the purchaser should provide a pension scheme which was broadly comparable with that provided by the principal civil service pension scheme.

  Unions were informed on 26 January that the Government Actuary's Department—GAD—had confirmed that NTL's intended arrangements met this requirement.

  A GAD representative attended a meeting with the unions on 10 February. There were then GAD presentations to staff in the week beginning 14 February, in which the benefits available under the NTL scheme were explained and compared with the PCSPS. Union representatives were sent copies of the GAD certificate of pension comparability on 16 February. Further information on the safeguards within the existing scheme and the further benefits negotiated by the Department were sent to the unions on 23 February together with answers to a

  177
  number of questions which they had raised at an earlier meeting. Arrangements were made on 24 February that each member of DTELS staff should receive a copy of the GAD certificate of pension comparability together with answers to questions which had been raised in the course of the earlier presentations.

  Murder Victims
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide financial assistance to the families of murder victims, whose bodies cannot be released by coroners for cremation, to meet the costs of storage.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no such plans.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were brought by the police relating to animal welfare in(a) 1991, (b) 1992 and (c) 1993; and how many were successful.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1991 and 1992 is given in the tables. 1993 data will not be available until autumn 1994.

  Table A: Number of prosecutions brought by the police for offences relating to animal welfare by result

  England and Wales 1991

  Offence

  Police prosecutions

  Convictions

  Cruelty to animals

  437

  326

  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, sections 22(3), 23 and 25(3)

  1

  1

  Protection of Animals Act 1911 (as amended)

  337

  254

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 8

  —

  —

  Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925

  —

  —

  Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) Act 1933

  10

  7

  Protection of Animals Act 1934

  1

  1

  Pet Animals Act 1951

  2

  —

  Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954

  10

  5

  Animal Health Act 1981, sections 40–42, 46, 49 and orders under sections 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43

  24

  19

  Slaughterhouses Act 1974

  —

  —

  Abandonment of Animals Act 1960, section 1

  19

  16

  Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963

  4

  3

  Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970

  —

  —

  Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, sections 1, 2 and 6

  1

  1

  Badgers Act 1973

  19

  12

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 9

  2

  —

  Number of defendants prosecuted for offences connected with pedal cycles, 1988 to 1992 England and Wales

  Offence description

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Riding to common danger

  8

  17

  7

  7

  5

  Being towed

  8

  6

  2

  3

  3

  Neglect of traffic directions

  248

  217

  182

  150

  138

  More than one person carried

  74

  57

  58

  35

  34

  178

  Offence

  Police prosecutions

  Convictions

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 11

  4

  4

  Other

  3

  3

  Diseases of Animals Act

  47

  31

  Wild Birds Protection Acts

  76

  63

  Table B: Number of prosecutions brought by the police for offences relating to animal welfare by result

  England and Wales 1992

  Offence

  Police prosecutions

  Convictions

  Cruelty to animals

  475

  367

  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, sections 22(3), 23 and 25(3)

  3

  2

  Protection of Animals Act 1911 (as amended)

  359

  283

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 8

  4

  4

  Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925

  —

  —

  Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) Act 1933

  5

  4

  Protection of Animals Act 1934

  —

  —

  Pet Animals Act 1951

  2

  —

  Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954

  10

  9

  Animal Health Act 1981, sections 40–42, 46, 49 and orders under sections 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43

  24

  19

  Slaughterhouses Act 1974

  —

  —

  Abandonment of Animals Act 1960, section 1

  26

  22

  Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963

  1

  1

  Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970

  —

  —

  Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, sections 1, 2 and 6

  2

  2

  Badgers Act 1973

  32

  16

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 9

  3

  3

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 11

  1

  1

  Other

  3

  1

  Diseases of Animals Act

  27

  15

  Wild Birds Protection Acts

  62

  43

  Pedal Cyclists
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many pedal cyclists were prosecuted for road traffic offences in each of the past five years;

  (2) how many pedal cyclists were prosecuted for failing to stop at traffic lights in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1988 to 1992 is given in the table. 1993 data will not be available until the autumn 1994.
  179

  Offence description

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Riding on footpath

  585

  453

  483

  333

  313

  In relation to pedestrian crossings

  14

  13

  11

  9

  11

  Failing to obey signal

  29

  62

  53

  48

  29

  Failing to comply with brake regulations

  149

  201

  96

  69

  42

  Reckless and dangerous driving by a pedal cyclist

  14

  17

  26

  17

  30

  Careless driving by a pedal cyclist

  67

  77

  67

  89

  77

  Driving under the influence of drink and drug by a pedal cyclist

  222

  261

  211

  191

  108

  Taking part in unauthorised cycle race

  —

  —

  1

  3

  1

  Promoting unauthorised cycle race

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 sec. 17(4)

  34

  36

  42

  18

  31

  Highways Act 1980 sec. 137(1)

  4

  5

  8

  5

  4

  Take or ride a pedal cycle without consent

  350

  361

  312

  288

  270

  Lighting and reflector offences

  1,593

  1,381

  1,578

  950

  547

  Other offences

  9

  1

  17

  12

  16

  All offences

  3,408

  3,165

  3,155

  2,228

  1,659

  Note: The offence of "failing to comply with traffic light signals" may be recorded under "Neglect of traffic directions", "Failin g to obey signal" or "Other Offence."

  Mobile Phones (Theft)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the number of mobile phones stolen each year;

  (2) what representations he has received from manufacturers and retailers of mobile phones about the theft of their products; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will make the rechipping of mobile phones illegal.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are aware of estimates that between 10,000 and 12,000 mobile phones are stolen each month; however, no information on the number of such thefts is recorded centrally and we have no reliable means of making any estimate.

  Nevertheless, we share the concern that the number of thefts seems to be increasing, and have received a number of representations on this subject from hon. Members and others, including the Federation of Communication Services. The Home Office is supporting the Department

  Fire-related deaths1 by age from fires attended by local authority fire brigades

  1963 to 1992

  United Kingdom

  Age groups: (a) 1963–68; (b) 1969–73; (c) 1974–77; (d) 1978–88; (e) 1989–92

  Year

  Number of deaths by age group

  (a)

  0–5

  6–15

  16–65

  66+

  Unspecified

  Total

  (b)

  0–4

  5–14

  15–64

  65+

  (c)

  0–4

  5–14

  15–59

  60+

  (d)

  0–4

  5–14

  16–64

  65+

  (e)

  0–4

  5–16

  16–64

  65+

  1963

  131

  31

  285

  361

  6

  814

  1964

  110

  39

  265

  264

  3

  681

  1965

  155

  36

  264

  240

  7

  702

  1966

  145

  34

  301

  295

  2

  777

  1967

  119

  33

  308

  303

  13

  776

  1968

  158

  42

  349

  293

  18

  860

  1969

  154

  35

  311

  340

  11

  851

  1970

  128

  38

  315

  338

  17

  836

  1971

  111

  45

  324

  321

  17

  818

  1972

  134

  60

  410

  437

  25

  1,066

  1973

  130

  54

  437

  394

  23

  1,038

  1974

  120

  66

  346

  475

  31

  1,038

  21975

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  920

  1976

  79

  65

  324

  421

  5

  894

  1977

  80

  53

  255

  326

  4135

  849

  1978

  64

  53

  375

  380

  471

  943

  1979

  71

  56

  457

  498

  14

  1,096

  180
  of Trade and Industry in its discussions with the mobile phone industry on what measures can be taken to reduce the theft of mobile phones, but we have no plans to make rechipping a criminal offence. Not all rechipping is carried out in relation to stolen telephones, and it would not be appropriate to criminalise what may be an entirely legitimate activity, for example in connection with the repair of mobile phones, or the legitimate sale of second-hand mobile phones. Those who steal mobile phones, or handle stolen goods are, of course, already guilty of criminal offences under the law as it stands.

  Fire Deaths
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will produce a table showing the deaths by fire of(a) infants, (b) adolescents, (c) adults and (d) the elderly for the latest 20 years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 1 March 1994]: The available information is shown in the table.
  181

  Year

  Number of deaths by age group

  (a)

  0–5

  6–15

  16–45

  66+

  Unspecified

  Total

  (b)

  0–4

  5–14

  15–64

  65+

  (c)

  0–4

  5–14

  15–59

  60+

  (d)

  0–4

  5–14

  16–64

  65+

  (e)

  0–4

  5–16

  16–64

  65+

  1980

  91

  55

  415

  412

  461

  1,034

  1981

  63

  48

  433

  419

  7

  970

  1982

  79

  36

  417

  377

  8

  917

  1983

  75

  50

  415

  359

  1

  900

  1984

  84

  44

  402

  350

  3

  883

  1985

  95

  40

  418

  419

  5

  977

  1986

  94

  40

  437

  381

  5

  957

  1987

  84

  45

  438

  355

  4

  926

  1988

  87

  44

  423

  354

  7

  915

  1989

  81

  56

  472

  288

  3

  900

  1990

  63

  40

  487

  300

  6

  896

  1991

  83

  54

  396

  267

  14

  814

  51992

  58

  32

  411

  295

  9

  805

  1 Excluding fire brigade deaths and for 1974 to 1981 deaths from fires due to terrorist activity.

  2 Figures estimates due to industrial action, no estimates made for age of casualty.

  3 Not available.

  4 Age of casualty not give due to industrial action.

  5 Provisional.

  Source:

  Home Office fire statistics.

EMPLOYMENT

  Young People
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new measures he plans to help young people in the North West region to find employment.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on Tuesday 22 February,Official Report, column 198.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest official figures for the numbers of unemployed; and what the corresponding figures were for 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  On the consistent seasonally adjusted basis, claimant unemployment in the United Kingdom stood at 2,787,600 in January 1994 and 1,100,100 in January 1979.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for the North West.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In the North West region, seasonally adjusted claimant unemployment stood at 308,100 or 10·3 per cent. of the work force in January 1994. This is a fall of 26,400 compared with a year ago.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees were employed in manufacturing industry a year ago and at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In December 1993, there were 4,176,000 employees in manufacturing industries in Great Britain. This compares to 4,190,000 employees in 182
  December 1992— fall of 14,000 jobs over the year. The changing distribution of employment away from manufacturing and towards services is a trend shared by all western industrial nations. However, the output of United Kingdom manufacturing industry in the December quarter showed an annual increase of 2·2 per cent. This reflects a substantial improvement in productivity, up by 3·2per cent. over the same period.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the projected number in each of the 13 careers service pathfinder areas of local education authority careers service staff to be(a) made redundant or (b) given early retirement in 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is not available. It is for careers service providers to decide how best to manage their resources to deliver the highest quality of service.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, by each of the 13 careers service pathfinder areas, the total numbers of bids received per area and the name of each successful bidder to run each of the pathfinder services from 1 April.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on organisation tendering to provide careers services is commercial in confidence. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce those organisations with whom he will contract when negotiations are finalised.

  Leeds Development Corporation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out the number of people in employment in the area covered by the Leeds development corporation on(a) 1 April 1990 and (b) the latest available figures.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available for the area requested. The most detailed geographical area
  183
  for which information is published is the electoral ward. The Leeds development corporation area cannot be approximated from any combination of these wards.

  Employment estimates for individual wards within Leeds local authority district are available from the periodic censuses of employment, the most recent of which was conducted in September 1991. These can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Business Start-up and Enterprise Allowance
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have participated in(a) business start-up and (b) the enterprise allowance scheme in each year since their inception.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is given in the following table. I expect the business start-up scheme to continue to help those people wishing to set up in business and that the additional funding announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the March 1993 Budget will help more people in 1993–94.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS)1 Business Start-up Scheme (BSUS)Entrants 1982–83—1993—94 Great Britain

  Year

  Number

  1982–83

  2,500

  1983–84

  27,600

  1984–85

  46,000

  1985–86

  60,000

  1986–87

  86,800

  1987–88

  106,300

  1988–89

  98,500

  1989–90

  78,000

  1990–91

  60,000

  1991–92

  50,000

  1992–93

  41,000

  April-November 1993

  24,900

  Sources: Training Statistics

  TEC Operating Agreement (Annex J)

  Scottish Office MIS

  Welsh Office MIS

  1 The EAS was replaced by BSUS on April 1991

  Learning for Work
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) men and (b) women have participated in learning for work.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At 10 February 1994, the latest date available, 5,506 men and 1,607 women were receiving the learning for work allowance.

  Job Plan Workshops
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many(a) men and (b) women have participated in job plan workshops in each month since their inception;

  (2) what evidence he has of positive outcomes for those who attend job plan workshops.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  184
  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about Jobplan workshops. You have asked about the number of men and women who have participated in Jobplan workshops since they were launched in April 1993 and what evidence there is of positive outcomes for those attending.
  It may be helpful if I explain that Jobplan workshops are for people who have been unemployed for a year who decline or fail to take up a job or a place on an Employment Department programme at their Restart interview. It aims to help people compete more successfully for jobs and opportunities by allowing them to review their strengths and skills, establish clear job goals. This will help them draw up a comprehensive Action Plan, which maps out the steps they need to take to get back to work.
  Jobplan workshops were launched in April 1993 and the figures in the table attached show the number of men and women who have taken part in the workshops in the period April 1993 to January 1994.
  Since April 1993, 93 per cent. of workshop completers were referred to a job or an Employment Department employment or training programme or another option to help them back to work. Research into the positive outcomes of those who attend Jobplan workshops has been commissioned but is not yet completed.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Jobplan Workshops

  Number of participants 1993–94

  Men

  Women

  April 1993

  11,573

  2,415

  May 1993

  16,770

  3,388

  June 1993

  17,154

  3,490

  July 1993

  24,614

  5,330

  August 1993

  19,986

  4,197

  September 1993

  18,910

  4,013

  October 1993

  27,076

  5,928

  November 1993

  22,523

  4,653

  December 1993

  18,260

  3,725

  January 1994

  22,415

  4,512

  Total

  199,281

  41,651

  Workstart
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the workstart pilots; and what plans he has to extend this scheme.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have not yet completed our assessment of the pilots. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total cost of the workstart pilots.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Sir R. Howell) on 3 March 1994,Official Report, column 868.

  Restart
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) men and (b) women have participated in restart in each quarter since its inception.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  185
  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of men and women who have participated in Restart Courses in each quarter since its inception.
  It may be helpful if I explain that Restart Courses are short courses normally lasting for one week. They are targeted at people who have been unemployed for two years or more who are having the most difficulty in getting back to work. The courses provide people with the opportunity to explore all the options open to them and give them the confidence and motivation to take the next step back to work.
  The number of people participating in Restart courses from their inception in 1986 to quarter ending December 1993 is set out in the attached table.
  Since December 1990, people who have been unemployed for two years or more who refuse to take up a place on an Employment Department employment or training programme at their Restart interview, have been asked to attend a Restart Course. You will see that this led to a large increase in the numbers of people attending.
  You will see that because of changes in the collection of management information, we can not supply some of the detailed information in the form requested.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Table 1

  Number of starters on restart courses from 1986 to 1993

  Quarters

  Male

  Participants Female

  Total

  1986–87

  Not available

  Not available

  100,841

  1987–88

  Quarter 1

  9,539

  3,305

  12,664

  Quarter 2

  9,916

  3,080

  12,996

  Quarter 3

  9,278

  2,943

  12,221

  Quarter 4

  8,056

  2,875

  10,931

  Total

  36,609

  12,203

  48,812

  1988–89

  31,241

  11,769

  43,010

  1989–90

  Quarter 1

  7,915

  3,004

  10,919

  Quarter 2

  6,619

  2,551

  9,170

  Quarter 3

  7,576

  2,574

  10,150

  Quarter 4

  8,529

  3,172

  11,701

  Total

  30,639

  11,301

  41,940

  1990–91

  Not available

  Not available

  57,976

  1991–92

  1113,764

  120,076

  133,840

  1992–93

  11,108,493

  116,212

  124,705

  1993–94

  Quarter 1

  29,673

  4,427

  34,100

  Quarter 2

  31,624

  4,882

  36,506

  Quarter 3

  32,541

  5,015

  37,556

  Total2

  93,838

  14,324

  108,162

  1 The male/female split is an estimate based on two sample surveys.

  2 April to December 1993.

  Community Action
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many(a) men and (b) women have participated in community action in each month since its inception;

  (2) how many (a) men and (b) women who have participated in community action have found work.
  186
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994.
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the numbers of men and women who have participated in Community Action and the numbers of men and women who have found work as a result of participation.
  Community Action provides people who have been out of work for 12 months or more with the opportunity to gain recent work experience combined with individually tailored help in looking for jobs. This enables them to compete for jobs more effectively.
  The attached table gives the numbers of men and women who participate in Community Action during each month since the programme began on 27 July.
  By the end of January a total of 6,995 men and 1,573 women had received help through Community Action. Of these, 5,916 men and 1,362 women were still participating in the programme, 153 men and 27 women left the programme and went directly into paid employment.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Table showing number of people helped by community action during each month since the programme began

  Men

  Women

  Total

  July

  36

  0

  39

  August

  96

  13

  109

  September

  258

  35

  293

  October

  1,083

  207

  1,290

  November

  2,547

  566

  3,113

  December

  4,070

  857

  4,927

  January

  6,397

  1,464

  7,861

  Job Programme Costs
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total cost per annum to his Department of running job research seminars in 1993–94 prices and in cash terms in each year since their inception;

  (2) what was the total cost per annum to his Department of running job review workshops in 1993–94 prices and in cash terms in each year since their establishment;

  (3) what is the total cost per annum to his Department of running the job interview guarantee scheme in 1993–94 prices and in cash terms, in each year for which figures are available;

  (4) what is the total cost per annum to his Department of running job plan workshops in 1993–94 prices and in cash terms in each year for which figures are available.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the annual costs of running Job Search Seminars; Job Review Workshops; Job Interview Guarantee; and Job Plan Workshops.
  The attached table shows the expenditure for each of these programmes in both current prices and constant 1993–94 prices. The 1993–94 figures are planned allocations although for other years I have used actual expenditure. The main identifiable area

  187
  of expenditure is for the programme itself which, in most cases, is contracted out to separate providers. However, one of the key elements of the Job Interview Guarantee programme is 'matching and screening' of clients to vacancies, which is delivered by ES staff and it is therefore possible to provide you with the salary costs associated with this.
  The other three programmes are made available to clients through our claimant advisory service but it is not possible to attribute the cost of this to individual programmes.

  Expenditure in current prices (cash terms)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Job Search Seminars

  Programme Expenditure

  —

  5·755

  4·704

  Job Review Workshops

  Programme Expenditure

  1·252

  3·769

  3·473

  Job Interview Guarantee

  Programme Expenditure

  0·876

  1·140

  2·321

  Staff Delivery Costs

  5·984

  9·259

  19·945

  Job Plan Workshops

  Programme Expenditure

  —

  —

  37·470

  Expenditure in constant 1993–94 prices

  1997–92

  1992–95

  1993–94

  Job Search Seminars

  Programme Expenditure

  —

  5·833

  4·704

  Job Review Workshops

  Programme Expenditure

  1·307

  3·820

  3·473

  Job Interview Guarantee

  Programme Expenditure

  0·915

  1·156

  2·321

  Staff Delivery Costs

  6·248

  9·385

  19·945

  Job Plan Workshops

  Programme Expenditure

  —

  —

  37·470

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many(a) men and (b) women have participated in the job interview guarantee scheme in each year since its inception;

  (2) how many (a) men and (b) women have found a job within three months and six months of attending the job interview guarantee scheme.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994:

  Youth credits

  Leavers by gender 1991–92 to 1993–94 Great Britain1

  Percentage

  1997–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  April

  n/a

  n/a

  53

  47

  60

  40

  May

  n/a

  n/a

  53

  47

  58

  42

  June

  n/a

  n/a

  63

  37

  60

  40

  July

  n/a

  n/a

  60

  40

  57

  43

  August

  n/a

  n/a

  58

  42

  58

  42

  September

  n/a

  n/a

  64

  36

  60

  40

  October

  n/a

  n/a

  63

  37

  59

  41

  November

  n/a

  n/a

  60

  40

  —

  —

  December

  n/a

  n/a

  54

  46

  —

  —

  January

  45

  55

  59

  41

  —

  —

  February

  60

  40

  63

  37

  —

  —

  March

  50

  50

  63

  37

  —

  —

  188
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of men and women who have been helped by Job Interview Guarantee.
  The information available is set out in the attached table and shows the total number of people who have taken part in and been placed into jobs through Job Interview Guarantee (JIG) since it began in September 1989.
  We collect statistical information on the total numbers of people participating in JIG but this is not broken down by gender. However, a survey carried out in May 1992 showed that 71 per cent. were males and 29 per cent. female.
  Whilst we collect details of how many people go into a job through JIG, there is no follow up at the three and six month stages. To do so would necessitate expensive tracking mechanisms at a disproportionate cost.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Numbers assisted and placed by Job Interview Guarantee September 1989 to January 1994

  Numbers assisted1

  Numbers placed

  2 September 1989 to March 19912

  9,632

  5,324

  1991–92

  134,296

  39,960

  1992–93

  196,060

  76,701

  1993–94

  338,527

  148,421

  Total

  688,515

  270,406

  1 The number of people participating in JIG is referred to as "numbers assisted".

  2 From September 1989 to March 1991, JIG was piloted in 20 inner-city areas only.

  Training for Work
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) men and (b) women have attended a training for work course.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In the second quarter of 1993–94, the latest period available, there were 66,400 entrants to training for work in England and Wales and of these 69 per cent. were men and 31 per cent. women.

  Youth Credits
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) men and (b) women were using youth credits to obtain training in each month since the scheme's inception.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is given in the table:
  189

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  Year/Year to date

  54

  46

  60

  40

  59

  41

  Note:

  n/a = Data for individual months not available due to low number of records.

  1 England and Wales for 1993–94.

  Source: YT leavers database.

  >Job Clubs and Job Search
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many(a) men and (b) women have participated in job clubs each year since the scheme started;

  (2) how many (a) men and (b) women have attended job search seminars in each quarter since their inception.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Employment has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of men and women participating in Jobclub and job search seminars since the programmes started.
  This breakdown is not available for Jobclubs for the year 1985–86, the first year that the programme was running. From April 1986 details of males and females are based on survey information and evaluation reports. Since April 1990 we have collected information on male and female participants on a sample survey basis and this has been used to calculate the annual totals in Table A. The sample survey for 1993–94 is taking place this month.
  Table B shows the number of attenders in job search seminars for each quarter since the programme began in August 1991. We do not keep statistics on male and female job search seminar attenders. However a survey in September 1992 showed that approximately 70 per cent. of job search seminars attenders are male and 30 per cent. female.
  I hope this is' helpful.

  Table A

  Total number of jobclub participants Proportion of males and females

  Year

  Throughflow

  Males

  Females

  1985–86

  11,994

  Not available

  Not available

  1986–87

  120,606

  15,867

  4,739

  1987–88

  105,677

  80,314

  25,363

  1988–89

  132,262

  97,874

  34,388

  1989–90

  140,095

  102,269

  37,826

  1990–91

  134,712

  102,381

  32,331

  1991–92

  176,140

  140,470

  35,670

  1992–93

  216,679

  173,343

  43,336

  1993–942

  190,194

  Not yet available

  Not yet available

  1 Denotes estimated figures.

  2 To January 1994.

  Table B

  Number of attenders in job search seminars from August 1991

  Quarter

  Number of participants

  September 1991 (2 months)

  1,274

  December 1991

  13,787

  March 1992

  19,570

  June 1992

  20,179

  190

  Quarter

  Number of participants

  September 1992

  22,127

  December 1992

  22,966

  March 1993

  20,935

  June 1993

  16,519

  September 1993

  15,849

  December 1993

  17,168

  January 1994 (1 month)

  5,548

  Note: A survey carried out by the Employment Service in September 1992 showed that approximately 70 per cent. of job search seminar participants are male and 30 per cent. female.

  Job Review Workshops
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) men and (b) women have attended job review workshops in each month since their inception.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 8 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of men and women who have attended Job Review Workshops.
  Job Review Workshops were launched in October 1991 to help newly unemployed people review their career path and set clear job goals suited to their skill, experience and preferences. The programme is particularly suitable for professional, managerial and executive jobseekers who want to consider alternative careers.
  Statistical data was collected monthly until March 1993. From April 1993 information has been collected on a quarterly basis.
  I attach tables which show the number of men and women attending the workshops since its inception until December 1993.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Job Review Workshops

  Men

  Women

  1991–92

  April

  —

  —

  May

  —

  —

  June

  —

  —

  July

  —

  —

  August

  —

  —

  September

  —

  —

  October

  544

  158

  November

  1,817

  453

  December

  1,523

  313

  January

  2,302

  525

  February

  2,732

  723

  March

  3,478

  790

  Total

  12,396

  2,962

  1992–93

  April

  2,104

  528

  191

  Men

  Women

  May

  2,759

  648

  June

  2,614

  536

  July

  3,313

  786

  August

  2,610

  652

  September

  2,702

  610

  October

  3,033

  758

  November

  2,986

  832

  December

  2,294

  574

  January

  3,120

  780

  February

  3,239

  810

  March

  2,885

  742

  Total

  33,659

  8,256

  1993–94

  Quarter 1

  7,136

  1,826

  Quarter 2

  6,959

  1,976

  Quarter 3

  7,348

  2,054

  Quarter 4

  —

  —

  Total

  21,443

  5,856

  Minimum Wages (United States)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 23 February,Official Report, column 227, what is the current national minimum wage rate for the United States of America provided under the Fair Labour Standards Act 1938.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The current rates above which individual states in the USA are free to set minimum wages are set out in the fair labour standards amendments of 1989. A copy of this legislation is available in the Library.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: The sum of £430,000 in 1993–94 across the Employment Department group as a whole. This includes net expenditure on nursery places and holiday play schemes and financial help with additional child care costs incurred through attending training courses or other work-based functions. About 2,500 children are estimated to have been helped through this expenditure.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  School Milk Scheme
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many children were direct beneficiaries of the school milk scheme in(a) the 12 school weeks prior to and 12 school weeks after the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the school milk scheme and (b) the 12 school weeks before and 12 school weeks after the reduction in funding for the school milk scheme was effected.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information on the number of school children benefiting from the school milk scheme is not held on a weekly basis. During the academic years 192
  1992–93 and 1993–94, 8,139,417 and 8,048,510 school children respectively were eligible beneficiaries of the school milk scheme.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of EC funding available for the subsidy of milk and dairy produce in schools was accounted for by the United Kingdom before and after each reduction in funding for the school milk scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The United Kingdom accounted for 24·29 per cent. of total EC expenditure on the school milk scheme in the 1992 FEOGA year and for 22·62 per cent. in 1993. This reduction reflects the removal of cheese and buttermilk from the scheme, in the United Kingdom, in April 1993. There is no information yet available on United Kingdom expenditure on the scheme following the 25 per cent. cut in the rate of subsidy and the technical amendments adopted in October 1993. The new arrangements came into effect only on 1 January 1994.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will provide a figure for the value of European Community support lost to the United Kingdom as a consequence of the reduction in European funding for the school milk scheme since(a) 1 April 1993 and (b) 4 October 1994.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Based on claims covering the 12-month period prior to the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the scheme, on 1 April 1993 the value of EC subsidy lost to the United Kingdom for those products totalled £9,245,245·97. Buttermilk accounted for expenditure of just £599·99. No information will be available on the value of support lost to the United Kingdom as a result of the 25 per cent. cut in the school milk subsidy, which was adopted on 4 October 1993 and came into force on 1 January 1994, until claims for the period have been received.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many ready-packaged one third pint containers of subsidised milk were distributed by local authorities in the United Kingdom six months before and after each reduction in funding for the school milk scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No information is held by the Intervention Board executive agency, which administers the school milk scheme, on the number of one third pint containers of milk distributed by local authorities.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what quantity and value of milk and milk products which would formerly have been distributed through the school milk scheme have since 1 April 1993 instead been redirected; and to where they have been redirected;

  (2) what quantity and value of milk and milk products formerly distributed under the school milk scheme have been redirected since 1 April 1993; and what have been their destinations.

  Mrs. Gillian Shepherd
  No definitive information is available on the quantity, value or use to which the milk and milk products no longer utilised under the school milk scheme have been put.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the change in spending
  193
  in actual and real terms on the school milk scheme after (a) the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the school milk scheme and (b) the reduction in funding.

  Mrs. Gillian Shepherd
  The change in spending by local authorities in actual terms since the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the scheme on 1 April 1993 has amounted to a reduction of £5,549,137·98 when comparing the cost of subsidised products in the term before, spring 1993, and the term after, summer 1993, the removal of cheese and buttermilk from the scheme on 1 April 1993. No information will be available on the reduction in funding resulting from the 25 per cent. cut in the rate of subsidy and the technical amendments to the scheme until claims for the period have been received.

  It would be inappropriate to express the reductions in expenditure on the school milk scheme in real terms because the changes to the scheme have been single events rather than the result of changes over a period of time.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in real terms what was the average cost of each local authority school meal in(a) the 12 school weeks prior and 12 school weeks after the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the school milk scheme arid the 12 school weeks prior to and 12 school weeks after the reduction in funding for the school milk scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shepherd
  No information is collected by the Intervention Board executive agency, which administers the school milk scheme, on the cost of school meals.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of the relationship between the cost trend for local authority school meals and change in the availability of ingredients formerly subsidised as part of the school milk scheme and the reduction of funding for the scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No assessment has been made of the relationship between the costs of school meals provided by local authorities and the changes in the products covered by the school milk scheme. Furthermore, neither MAFF nor the Intervention Board executive agency, which administers the scheme, has any information which would enable such an assessment to be carried out.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the cost to the local authorities in terms of the funding allocated for the purpose of making up the deficiency in their accounts arising as a consequence of cuts in the value and scope of the school milk scheme since(a) 1 April 1993, (b) 4 October 1993 and (c) in total.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Neither MAFF nor the Intervention Board executive agency, which administers the school milk scheme, have any information on how local authorities have covered the deficiency in their accounts created by the reduction in funding following the 25 per cent. cut in the rate of subsidy.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the administrative costs of(a) distributing milk through the school milk scheme and (b) alternative provision for disposing of milk.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The administrative costs for the Intervention Board executive agency and the 194
  Department of Education for Northern Ireland in distributing milk through the school milk scheme were £134,871·80 for the financial year 1993–94. There is no information available on the administrative costs incurred by local authorities. The costs of alternative provisions for disposing of milk not taken up under the school milk scheme would depend on the products into which this milk was manufactured, the volumes involved and the disposal method used. The cost of disposing of one tonne of milk in the form of butter or skimmed milk powder is estimated at around £96.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is responsible for the disbursement of funds for the school milk scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Responsibility for the disbursement of funds for the school milk scheme rests with the Intervention Board executive agency in Great Britain and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland in the Province.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of milk and other products eligible for the school milk scheme were consumed in(a) the 12 school weeks prior to and (b) 12 school weeks after the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the scheme, (c) the 12 school sitting weeks before and (d) the 12 school sitting weeks after the reduction in funding for the scheme was effected.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  There is no information available on a 12-weekly basis on tonnages of milk and milk products consumed under the school milk scheme after removal of buttermilk and cheese. 30,608,186·49 tonnes of eligible milk and milk products, for which subsidy was claimed, were consumed in the school term, spring term 1993, immediately prior to the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the scheme on 1 April 1993. A total of 30,621,821·121 tonnes of eligible milk and milk products, for which subsidy was claimed, were consumed in the school term, summer term 1993, immediately following the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the scheme on 1 April 1993.

  Similarly, there is no information available on a 12 weekly basis on changes in consumption before and after the 25 per cent. cut in the subsidy and the technical amendments were introduced. No information will be available until claims for the period have been received.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will chart any changes in the local authority spending on milk and other products eligible for the school milk scheme in(a) the 12 school sitting weeks before and 12 school sitting weeks after the removal of buttermilk and cheese from the school milk scheme and (b) the 12 school sitting weeks before and 12 school sitting weeks after the reduction in funding for the school milk scheme was effected.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No information is available on a 12-weekly basis to enable changes in local authority spending before and after removal of buttermilk and cheese from the school milk scheme to be monitored, nor on the changes following the 25 per cent. cut in the subsidy and the technical amendments introduced on 1 January 1994. Local authority spending on eligible milk and milk products during the term, spring 1993, prior to the removal
  195
  of buttermilk and cheese from the scheme on 1 April 1993 and the term after, summer 1993, decreased by £4,360,333·99. No information on changes in spending before and after 1 January 1994 will be available until claims for the period have been received.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the local authorities which since 4 October 1993 have(a) increased, (b) reduced and (c) left unchanged their provision of subsidised school drinking milk and other eligible products under the school milk scheme as part of a school meal.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No information will be available on changes in uptake by local authorities under the school milk scheme following the 25 per cent. cut in the subsidy and the technical amendments to the scheme, introduced on 1 January 1994, until claims for the period have been received.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Willets
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps she is taking to encourage the positive management of set-aside to benefit the countryside environment.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I support the positive environmental management of set-aside. I have today placed in the Library of the House a handbook entitled "Managing Set-Aside Land for Wildlife". This publication is the result of work commissioned by my Department from the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology to investigate the possibilities of using set-aside land to create or restore wildlife habitats. We have drawn on many of its conclusions in setting the management conditions for set-aside under the arable area payments scheme, and I hope that farmers and conservation advisers will find it equally helpful.

  Vintners Company
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members of the wine standards board of the Vintners Company.

  Mr. Jack
  The members of the wine standards board of the Vintners Company are:

  Mr. P. J. Purton (Chairman)

  Dr. A. T. Woodrow

  Ms C. Kent

  Mr. A. Foster

  Mr. P. M. Boyling

  Brigadier G. Read CBE

  The board is funded jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Vintners Company.

  Regional Flood Defence Committees
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which organisations she has consulted to seek nominations for membership of regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority of people who have expertise in hydrology, coastal processes, town and country planning, emergency planning, financial management, fisheries, recreation and the built heritage.

  Mr. Jack
  The following organisations were invited to submit nominations:196

  Association of Drainage Authorities

  Confederation of British Industry

  Country Landowners Association

  National Chambers of Commerce

  National Farmers Union

  Transport and General Workers Union

  In addition English Nature and the Countryside Commission were asked to submit a joint list after consultation with other environmental and conservation bodies. Candidates were also sought from the central list held by the public appointments unit of the Cabinet Office.

  The objective is to reflect a range of interests in the ministerial appointments to each committee, having regard to the expertise provided by those committee members appointed by local authorities and by the National Rivers Authority.

  Baby and Infant Milks
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the definition of independent person, name of preparatory infant formulae and brand name as used in European Commission directives 91/321 and 92/52.

  Mr. Soames
  Neither Commission directive 91/321 nor Council directive 92/52 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae define such terms. Any interpretation of these terms where used in the law would be a matter for the courts.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will extend the ban on advertising of baby milks and the giving of free samples to include follow-on milks and specialised baby formulae for infants under one.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government are currently reviewing the comments received during the consultation exercise on the proposed United Kingdom regulations on infant formulae and follow-on formulae to implement the relevant EC directives. Our decision on the final form of the regulations will be announced as soon as possible.

  Wine
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will state(a) the price at which British wholesalers buy wine per 75 cl bottle, (b) what she estimates the price of wine per bottle would be in a free market without European Community price intervention, (c) the levels of European Community production and consumption of wine, (d) the level of common agricultural policy expenditure on wine subsidies and (e) the cost to the British Exchequer of European Community intervention in the wine sector.

  Mr. Jack
  The price at which British wholesalers buy wine is a matter for commercial negotiation and varies by consignment.

  It is not possible to estimate the price of wine without European Community price intervention for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Grocott) on 11 January at columns 65–6.

  The European Commission estimates that European Community wine production in the 1992–93 wine year was 184 million hectolitres—mhl—that 127 mhl was consumed as wine in the EC, net exports were 7 mhl and other uses—for example, vinegar, vermouth and eaux de vie—15 mhl.
  197
  Total common agricultural policy expenditure in 1993 on the wine regime was 1,510 million ecu—£1,186 million —provisional outturn.

  The Exchequer cost of CAP support for wine in the United Kingdom is estimated at £591,000 for the 1993–94 financial year. The United Kingdom also contributes to the European Community budget as a whole, which funds the cost of the wine support system in other member states.

  Flood Defence Committees
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many MAFF-appointed members of regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority receive direct or indirect pecuniary benefits from the flood defence operations of the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Jack
  The terms of appointment of ministerial members draw attention to the provisions referred to in paragraph 14 of schedule 4 to the Water Resources Act 1991 whereby if a member or his or her spouse has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in a contract, proposed contract or other matter which is to be considered at a meeting of the committee at which the member is present, the member must disclose the fact and refrain from taking any part in the proceedings relating to that contract or other matter. In addition, members are requested to avoid any conflict of interest between their RFDC responsibilities and any personal or business interests.

  Soil Erosion
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice her Department gives to farmers to avoid soil erosion in flash floods.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My Department published the code of good agricultural practice for the protection of soil in December last year.

  The code provides practical guidance to help farmers and growers avoid causing long-term damage to the soil and specifically deals with techniques to combat soil erosion caused by water.

  Copies of the soil code have been placed in the Library of the House.

DEFENCE

  Helicopters
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of low-flying helicopters on animal livestock in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Low-flying helicopters have been accepted as the cause of claims from farmers for dead or injured livestock, resulting on a number of occasions in the payment of compensation.

  Ceremonial and Guard Duty
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much ceremonial and guard duty is required of how many horses and troops; at what average annual cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Ceremonial and guards duties are currently undertaken primarily on a full-time basis by 824 198
  Army and Royal Air Force personnel at an estimated cost in 1993–94 of £18,650,000. Included in this sum is the cost of 362 horses involved in mounted duties.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to revisit Bosnia to examine the conditions of British troops.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I maintain a close interest in the conditions under which British forces are deployed in Bosnia. I make regular visits there, most recently last month, and I was particularly impressed, as are we all, by the dedication and courage demonstrated by our forces in carrying out their work under difficult and dangerous conditions.

  Ferranti
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consequences Ferranti's decision to call in the receiver has had for Britain's armed services.

  Mr. Aitken
  The receivership of Ferranti International has had no consequences of any significance for the armed forces. The receivers are continuing to trade, and my Department has co-operated fully with them to avoid disruption to MOD contracts.

  Women Personne
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the defence relationship with the American armed forces and on the implications of their policy on women personnel for the United Kingdom services and on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom's defence relationship with the American armed forces is wide ranging and involves frequent contacts at all levels. The American armed forces' policy on the employment of female personnel is unlikely to have any material implications for the United Kingdom armed forces.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the difference in real terms between the planned level of defence spending in 1994–95 and the actual expenditure in(a) 1985 and (b)

  Mr. Hanley
  Details of previous and planned defence spending between 1978–79 and 1996–97 are contained in table 3.3 of the statistical supplement to the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", 1994–95, Cm 2519, which was published on 25 February.

  Contracting Out
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards contracting out RAF engineering and maintenance work.

  Mr. Aitken
  Engineering and maintenance activities in support of the Royal Air Force are currently being drawn together as part of the new RAF Logistics Command, which will come into being with effect from 1 April 1994.
  199
  However, as the House knows, the defence costs study "Front Line First" is examining the whole of the defence support area to ensure that current plans provide the most cost-effective approach to supporting the front line, and its recommendations are awaited.

  D-day
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his Department is playing in planning the celebration of the 50th anniversary of D-day.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence is chairing the steering group responsible for co-ordinating the United Kingdom's involvement in the D-day commemorations.

  Personnel Reductions
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage cut in the regular armed forces and in the reserves since "Options for Change"; and what reductions are planned for the next five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Between 1 April 1990 and 1 January 1994, the total strengths of the regular and volunteer reserve forces reduced by 15·6 per cent. and 149·5 per cent. respectively. On current plans, a further reduction of 5·1 per cent. in the strength of the regular forces will be made by 1 April 1995. These figures exclude the former Ulster Defence Regiment, which was part of the volunteer reserve forces until it formed the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment on 1 July 1992 and became part of the regular forces. At the present time, it is not possible to forecast any further changes in the manpower levels in the regular or volunteer reserve forces.

  Space-based Missiles
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on space-based missile defence.

  Mr. Hanley
  There have been no recent NATO ministerial discussions on space-based missile defence but the overall issue of ballistic missile defence remains under regular review and this includes regular discussion at official level within NATO.

  Battle Tanks
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many main battle tanks will be in service with the British Army by the end of the century.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many main battle tanks will be in service with the British Army by the end of the century.

  Mr. Aitken
  One hundred and twenty-seven Challenger 2 tanks are already on order from Vickers Defence Systems. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House of Commons Defence Committee on 1 December, subject to the negotiation of satisfactory contractual terms we intend to place a further order for up to 259 more of these tanks. The number of main battle tanks that will be in service with the British Army by the end of the century will therefore be up to 386.

  Yugoslavia
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed services personnel are currently serving offshore and on the ground in former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are currently some 2,260 armed forces personnel serving in the Adriatic and some 2,450 on the ground in the former Yugoslavia. In addition, some 650 Royal Air Force personnel are based in Italy in support of United Nations and NATO air operations in theatre.

  Peacekeeping Forces
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of Britain's peacekeeping forces worldwide; and what proportion of this cost is reimbursed from the United Nations.

  Mr. Hanley
  United Kingdom military personnel have been involved in five United Nations peacekeeping operations during the financial year 1993–94; the additional cost is likely to total between £100,000,000–£110,000,000. Reimbursement from the United Nations for the same period so far amounts to £23,000,000. The United Kingdom stands to claim up to a further £25,000,000, subject to other member states paying their assessed contributions.

  10 Squadron
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 1994,Official Report, column 347, if he will place in the Library copies of the criteria used for determining repayment charges for non-defence tasks carried out by 10 Squadron; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Rosyth Naval Base
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the cost involved in the change of task at Rosyth naval base in terms of redundancies and associated costs for civilians and the transfer of naval personnel;

  (2) what are the numbers involved in the change in task of Rosyth to a minor war vessels operating base for both civilian and royal naval personnel as at (a) July 1991, (b) January 1994 and (c) completion of change of task to a minor war vessels operating base;

  (3) if he will provide an update on the annual savings over five years expected from the change in task at Rosyth naval base;

  (4) if he will make it his policy that the social and economic implications of changes at Rosyth will be taken fully into account during the current review;

  (5) if he will place in the Library a copy of the terms of reference for the studies regarding minor war vessel base porting being carried out at Rosyth, Plymouth Devonport and Portsmouth.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Lady to my letter of 3 March 1994; a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual value for the past five years
  201
  of refit, docking and essential defects and other work carried out by Rosyth royal dockyard on minor war vessels based at Rosyth and elsewhere; and what percentage this represents of the total shipwork expenditure on minor war vessels.

  Mr. Aitken
  The annual value of refit, docking and essential defects and other work carried out by Rosyth royal dockyard over the past five years on minor war vessels is set out:

  £ million

  At outturn prices

  1989–90

  26·57

  1990–91

  27·18

  1991–92

  25·73

  1992–93

  21·54

  1993–94

  123·17

  1 Estimate.

  Some minor war vessel work is undertaken by the fleet maintenance groups at the naval bases. Since these organisations are capacity funded, not all costs arising out of minor war vessel work are attributed to this task. It is, therefore, not possible to establish a meaningful percentage comparison with the total shipwork expenditure on minor war vessels. However, broad indications are that in 1992–93 the figure was around 60 per cent. and the estimate for the current financial year is around 80 per cent.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's assessment of the resulting unemployment rates in Dunfermline and Fife if the Rosyth naval base were to be closed as a result of the current review.

  Mr. Aitken
  No decisions on the defence costs study have been taken, nor will they be until Ministers have been presented with the findings of the study as a whole. It is too early to speculate about the outcome of this work.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundant personnel formerly employed at Rosyth naval base have used the redundancy counselling and relocation service provided by British Coal Enterprise; and how many of these have gained employment as a result.

  Mr. Hanley
  Between 12 October 1992 and 28 February 1994, of the 92 employees who registered with British Coal Enterprise, 81 subsequently attended outplacement training. Of this number, 75 decided to pursue full-time employment in the area. To date, 41 have found new jobs and four, who were provided with additional specialised training, are now self-employed. Of the 30 still seeking employment, 15 remain employed at Rosyth naval base.

  Defence Costs Study
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to establish an overall strategy for dealing with the restructuring process arising from the defence costs study; and if he will make it his policy to take into account the social and economic impact on the communities involved;

  (2) what mechanisms are in place for the restructuring of military establishments and the use of redundant assets: and what assessment he has made of the work done to date.
  202
  Mr. Aitken
  The defence costs study is examining all aspects of support to the front line. One aim of the study is to develop proposals for change that will ensure that assets employed in defence support areas are not under-utilised.

  It is too early to speculate about the outcome of this work, but all relevant factors will be taken into account.

  Recruitment
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of current levels of naval recruitment from Scotland and the north of England; and what were the expressed first base preferences for(a) Rosyth and (b) Faslane.

  Mr. Hanley
  During the recruiting year 1993–94 the Royal Navy has recruited 40 officers and 223 ratings from the North region.1 Information on applicants' preference is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  1 Note: The North region is defined as the area from Cumbria to Cleveland northwards, including Northern Ireland.

  Civilian Establishments
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's civilian establishments, their locations, their functions and the number of people they each employ.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the interests of security, it is not my Department's practice to publish complete lists of all its civilian establishments and their functions.

  Home Military Bases
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United Kingdom's home military bases, their locations and the number of service personnel based and civilian staff employed at each of them.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the interests of security, it is not my Department's practice to publish complete lists of all the United Kingdom's military bases.

  Submarines and Fishing Vessels
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the internal investigation into the incident between HMS Valiant and the fishing vessel Audacious to be made available to members of the Department of Transport's fishing industry safety committee sub-group dealing with submarine and fishing vessels matters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The investigation into the incident between HMS Valiant and fishing vessel Audacious has now been completed and the findings are being examined. As I indicated in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) on 18 January 1994,Official Report, column 506, the findings of the investigation will shortly be made available to the members of the Department of Transport's fishing industry safety group sub-group on submarine and fishing vessel interaction, which includes representatives of the fisherman's federations.

  Regimental Boards of Inquiry
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the notice required to be given to witnesses or persons appearing before a regimental board of inquiry about their right to be represented.

  Mr. Hanley
  There is no set period of notice required to be given to persons appearing before regimental inquiries or boards of inquiry. Reasonable steps are taken to ensure that those witnesses who are likely to be affected by the outcome of the board of inquiry, and are therefore entitled to be legally represented, have the opportunity to seek legal representation.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has commissioned within his Department, or from outside consultants, any study on the long-term safety of the high-level liquid nuclear waste storage tanks at Sellafield; and what is his policy in regard to evaluating independent expert reviews of nuclear waste storage safety.

  Mr. Eggar
  No, this is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc subject to the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate's views as to safety. Where appropriate, the NII considers factors such as studies by independent experts in its assessment of operators' safety cases.

  Miners (Employment)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many miners were in employment in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) the United Kingdom in each year since 1964.

  Mr. Eggar
  The numbers of wages earners on colliery books at 31 March each year since 1964 were as follows:

  Thousands

  Year

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  1964

  373·0

  79·4

  52·9

  505·3

  1965

  353·9

  73·8

  49·6

  477·3

  1966

  326·4

  64·9

  44·9

  436·2

  1967

  307·7

  60·1

  41·9

  409·7

  1968

  274·7

  54·1

  36·0

  364·8

  1969

  240·1

  47·1

  31·5

  318·7

  1970

  223·4

  42·2

  30·1

  295·7

  1971

  216·4

  39·9

  30·1

  286·4

  1972

  207·6

  38·0

  28·4

  274·0

  1973

  200·9

  36·0

  26·7

  263·6

  1974

  186·0

  32·2

  24·3

  242·5

  1975

  190·9

  33·1

  24·8

  248·8

  1976

  188·3

  31·8

  23·6

  243·7

  1977

  188·0

  31·2

  22·9

  242·1

  1978

  187·2

  30·2

  21·9

  239·3

  1979

  182·8

  28·6

  21·0

  232·4

  1980

  184·6

  27·6

  21·0

  233·2

  1981

  178·4

  26·6

  19·8

  224·8

  1982

  169·9

  25·5

  17·4

  212·8

  1983

  162·3

  23·9

  16·5

  202·7

  1984

  146·7

  21·3

  13·1

  181·1

  1985

  139·6

  20·5

  11·3

  171·4

  1986

  116·1

  14·7

  7·7

  138·5

  1987

  94·4

  11·0

  4·5

  109·9

  1988

  74·9

  10·6

  3·5

  89·0

  204

  Year

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  1989

  69·8

  8·0

  2·4

  80·2

  1990

  58·8

  5·1

  1·5

  65·4

  1991

  52·8

  3·1

  1·4

  57·3

  1992

  40·8

  1·6

  1·3

  43·7

  1993

  29·3

  1·2

  1·2

  31·7

  11994

  9·6

  0·4

  1·0

  11·0

  1 Men on books at 28 February.

  Source: British Coal.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 of his policy on signing public interest immunity certificates.

  Mr. Heseltine
  No central record is kept of public interest immunity certificates signed since 1979.

  The use of public interest immunity certificates is currently an issue before Lord Justice Scott's inquiry. I have already given my evidence to the inquiry.

  Newsagents
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes he plans to introduce to the current arrangements for retailing newspapers following the publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on newsagents.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) on 1 March 1994,Official Report, column 623.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the Government's assistance for exceptional projects scheme of financial support for investment and research and development projects.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I announced on 26 January 1993 the suspension of the assistance for exceptional projects scheme from 1 March 1993 until April 1994. I have decided to maintain this suspension until at least the end of June 1994.

  Regional Challenge
  Mr. Roger Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to introduce a regional challenge as part of the way in which the European regional development fund will be deployed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  It is my intention to introduce, consistently with the council regulations, a new competitive element in the way that ERDF money is allocated in objective 1, 2 and 5b areas of England. Under this regional challenge, modelled on the city challenge concept, a proportion of ERDF money, to be determined in agreement with the Commission, would be allocated separately by competition on the basis of local regeneration or development proposals submitted by local partnerships.
  205
  Competition would take place only within each community support framework area. The distribution of the structural funds between the regions would not be affected.

  I believe that this initiative will stimulate local communities to work together to produce imaginative proposals, encourage a more coherent overall approach to local issues, lever in significantly increased private sector funding and enhance value for money. Relevant United Kingdom public expenditure programmes, including the single regeneration budget, will in principle be available within existing public expenditure provision to contribute towards successful bids alongside the ERDF and other resources. The arrangements will be administrated in each region by the integrated regional offices.

  Regional challenge should enhance the effectiveness of the structural funds in each community support framework area. The initiative will be worked up in consultation with the local partnerships and with the agreement of the Commission, with the aim of introducing it when the community support frameworks are adopted later this year.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales intends to open discussions immediately on the introduction of a separate regional challenge scheme in the Principality.

  Inertia Address Listing
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the regulations governing inertia address listing.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Persons who do not wish to receive unsolicited mail can have themselves removed from most mailing lists by registering with the mailing preference service. I see no need for additional regulation in this area.

  Communication on Superhighways
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department is currently sponsoring research into communication superhighways.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My Department sponsors a diverse range of activities at European and national level which underpin the developments of advanced information highways.

  At the European level, the Community has so far spent over 1 becu—£700 million—through the research in advanced communications for Europe—RACE—programme. The research carried out will assist the development of integrated broadband communications.

  At a national level, my Department jointly sponsors with the Science and Engineering Research Council, the following relevant link programmes: personal communications, £20 million, higher performance interfaces and protocols, £8 million, computer supported co-operative work, £13 million, and optoelectronic systems, £30 million.

  A recent study conducted for the Department of the international competitiveness of the United Kingdom telecommunications infrastructure concluded that the United Kingdom's existing information infrastructure can stand comparison with the best in the world. The work referred to will help to ensure that United Kingdom maintains this position.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he plans to announce the recommendations of his consultants and his conclusions on the consultation period on the proposed privatisation of the Patent Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I am still considering the report by the consultants on the review of the Patent Office, along with the views which have been put to the consultants and direct to my Department during the course of the review. I shall announce my conclusions as soon as I am in a position to do so.

  Rover Group
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, columns 828–30, what was the estimated percentage United Kingdom content of the cars manufactured in the United Kingdom in 1973; what is his estimate of the content in 1993; and if he will estimate the number of each category of cars produced by Rover and the overall United Kingdom content, including the operating profit but excluding licence payments.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  This question can be answered only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 319, what are his reasons for expecting the takeover of Rover by BMW to make Rover more competitive than it would have been under the pre-existing arrangements with Honda; and whether his expectation includes (a) overseas markets as well as the United Kingdom market, (b) cars as well as utilities, (c) medium cars as well as small cars and (d) contract suppliers as well as Rover itself.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement to the House, on 31 January,Official Report, columns 615–16.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, columns 615–16, if he will make a statement on the reasons why the number of fraudulent trading convictions submitted by bodies other than the Insolvency Service fell from five in 1992–93 to two in 1993–94.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The number of cases submitted by bodies other than the Insolvency Service which contain allegations of possible offences of fraudulent trading, and the number of prosecutions arising from such referrals, is small. The variations from year to year are erratic.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement as to how his consultants on the privatisation of the Insolvency Service should compare the efficiency of the Insolvency Service with that of insolvency practitioners with regard to mechanical processing work in the absence of data on the number of voluntary liquidations completed in any year.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The consultants' work will involve a comparison between the value for money offered by
  207
  private sector contractors with that provided by official receivers in performing those mechanical, processing tasks carried out by official receivers.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the current proposals being drawn up by the Insolvency Service agency for major information technology expenditure where the proposals have not yet been quantified or approved.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Insolvency Service continues to explore the possibility of productive investment in information technology across the range of its functions and in the light of its likely business needs.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much of the expenditure on information technology during the last five years and the expected expenditure during the next five years by the Insolvency Service relates to(a) mechanical processing work and (b) investigation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The bulk of the service's information technology expenditure over the last five years and during the next few years has been and will continue to be made in three areas. These are:

  (i) development and support for the Insolvency Service information system mainframe system;

  (ii) development and installation of the service's local office information system—LOIS—which will replace ISIS in due course; and

  (iii) the development of a new computer system for central accounting unit.

  Both ISIS and LOIS supports the range of the service's functions.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 30 November,Official

  Fraudulent trading cases 1 April 1989–4 March 1994

  Years(1 April-31 March)

  Total number of fraudulent trading trials

  Number of successful fraudulent trading trials

  Number of unsuccessful fraudulent trading trials

  1989–90

  18

  14

  4

  1990–91

  14

  11

  3

  1991–91

  27

  8

  9

  1992–93

  27

  17

  10

  19931

  29

  18

  11

  1 To 4 March 1994.

  Note:

  "Trials" means contested cases where one of the main counts is fraudulent trading.

  "Successful" means a conviction is secured for fraudulent trading against one or more defendants in the trial.

  "Unsuccessful" means no conviction for fraudulent trading was secured against any defendant in the trial. It includes cases where one or more convictions were secured in other counts, for example for Theft Act offences or for failure to keep proper accounting records.

  The figures are for cases prosecuted by the DTI. Other agencies, such as the Crown Prosecution Service, also prosecute offences of fraudulent trading.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the cost of employing consultants on the privatisation of the Insolvency Service; and if the cost will be met from the Insolvency Service budget.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The purpose of the review of the future of the Insolvency Service is to examine the ways in which official receivers may concentrate more on their investigatory role by involving the private sector more in the mechanical processing work in insolvencies. The cost of the review, which is commercially confidential, will be met from Insolvency Service resources.
  208
  Report, columns 419–20, what assessment he has made of the reasons why authorising bodies have struck off only one unfit insolvency practitioner since the introduction of the Insolvency Act 1986 where the initial complaint did not originate with the Insolvency Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Many complaints about the conduct of insolvency practitioners are made initially to my Department's Insolvency Service, notwithstanding that the particular practitioner concerned is authorised by one of the recognised professional bodies. This may be because the complainant is not aware of the authorisation procedures introduced by the Insolvency Act 1986 or, alternatively, he does not know by which of the bodies the practitioner is authorised.

  The Insolvency Service refers such complaints to the appropriate authorising body to take such action as may be appropriate.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many trials for fraudulent trading resulted in an acquittal for each of the past five years; and how many of those trials were instituted by the Insolvency Service.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The figures for trials in proceedings brought by my Department where any defendant pleaded not guilty to one or more charges of fraudulent trading are set out in the following table. Records are not kept in such a form that information about the origin of all these cases is readily available, but I can say that in 1992–93 seven of the unsuccessful trials arose from investigations by the Insolvency Service and that in 1993–94 all of the unsuccessful trials arose from such investigations.

  Insolvency
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many compulsory insolvencies distinguishing between companies and personal bankruptcies were dealt with by insolvency practitioners in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The number of compulsory insolvencies passed to insolvency practitioners and the number of final accounts received from them on conclusion of their administration were as follows:
  209

  1991–92 Cases to Final

  1992–93 Cases to Final

  1993–94 Cases to Final

  IPs

  a/c's

  IPs

  a/c's

  IPs1

  a/c's2

  Bankruptcy

  5,150

  2,844

  5,258

  3,024

  4,125

  2,969

  Companies

  1,514

  927

  1,417

  1,030

  1,119

  1,015

  Total

  6,664

  3,771

  6,675

  4,054

  5,244

  3,984

  1 9 months to 31 December 1993

  2 11 months to 28 February 1994

  Disqualification
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many directions to proceed with disqualification were issued in official receiver cases in 1992–93 and 1993–94; and if he will make a statement as to the reasons underlying the change in numbers.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In 1992–93 there were 164 directions to proceed with disqualification proceedings in official receiver cases. In 1993–94 there were 50 directions for the nine months ended 31 December 1993.

  The decline in the number of proceedings issued is a consequence of the reduced investigative time available to official receivers in the light of recent high levels of compulsory insolvencies.

  EC Assistance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those areas in the United Kingdom originally designated for European Community objective 5b assistance but subsequently removed from such designation, giving the size and population of each area.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  In its announcement of 21 December 1993, the European Commission proposed an objective 5b population for the United Kingdom of 2·816 million. It did not designate precise areas but invited the Government to define in detail areas within the population total. The Commission subsequently increased this total to 2·841 million.

  In order to accommodate a small number of additional areas originally proposed by the Government for objective 2, and in order to express the population of all the areas concerned on a different statistical basis requested by the Commission, it was necessary to propose a marginal adjustment to many of the areas originally proposed for objective 5b.

  Where an adjustment led to a net reduction in the proposed population for an area it was in the range from 2 to 11 per cent. The sum of these adjustments led to a total net reduction of 136,000.

  There were no implications for the United Kingdom's financial allocation under objective 5b.

  Post Office
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the implications of the introduction of optical character recognition equipment in sorting offices for employment levels in the Posit Office.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has made no assessment of the 210
  implications of the introduction of optical character recognition in sorting offices for employment levels in the Post Office as this is an operational matter for the Post Office board. I understand from the Post Office that any reduction in staffing levels to date has been achieved without compulsory redundancies and that it hopes to continue on this basis.

  British Telecom
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the impact of the regulatory regime in the United Kingdom on the ability of British Telecom to be a major player in global telecommunications.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Current telecommunications regulation achieves a good balance between the need to ensure real and effective competition and the need to avoid over-burdensome restrictions on companies. BT has benefited from its experience in the liberalised United Kingdom environment. This has been in large part responsible for its development into an internationally successful company.

  Advertising
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 18 January,Official Report, column 513, if he will make a statement on why Classic FM was used by his Department in its advertising campaign regarding the submission of company accounts; and what other media outlets his Department considered, or employed.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Responsiility for the subject has been delegated to the chief executive of the Companies House executive agency for which my Department is responsible. I have, therefore, asked Mr. David Durham to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. David Durham to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 March 1994:
  On 2 March you tabled the following Parliamentary Question: "To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his Answer of 18th January, Official Report, column 513, if he will make a statement on why Classic FM was used by his Department in its advertising campaign regarding the submission of company accounts; and what other media outlets his Department considered, or employed."
  Following the answer given by Mr. Neil Hamilton MP, I am replying as Chief Executive of Companies House.
  I have made use of Classic FM because it was an appropriate radio station for a national filing awareness campaign, having the most appropriate demographic profile of the national commercial stations.
  As I commented in my previous letter, the introduction of Late Filing Penalties in July 1992 has provided a major boost to the completeness of the company register. However, many companies appear to remain unsure of their filing obligations and continue to file late.

  211
  Companies House does recognise that awareness of the legal obligations, which include dates by which company accounts must be filed, is an important aspect of the process of enabling companies to meet their obligations under the Companies Acts. We were deeply disappointed to learn from independent research that 55 per cent. of company directors did not know what their due dates were. We see it as our duty to ensure that we use all reasonable means to make the business community aware of the deadlines for filing all accounts and the mandatory penalties which apply.
  A variety of media are considered to ensure that company directors are aware of these facts and the penalties that apply. These include commercial radio, inserts in technical press, national press and direct reminders, all of which have been used at various times to good effect. In addition, as indicated in our winning Charter Mark submission, we attend roadshows, exhibitions, hold customer days, issue Notes for Guidance and provide a central enquiry unit.
  Independent market research is commissioned to monitor the effectiveness of our communications. Recent results indicated that 75 per cent. of accountants and 49 per cent. of companies thought it was important that Companies House should advertise to inform and remind companies of their due dates for filing.
  I hope this is helpful.

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

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: From records currently available there have been no such occasions in the Department of Trade and Industry, but formal directions have been issued to ECGD on three occasions, all of which have been reported to Parliament —Official Report, 8 July 1981, columns 125–26; 16 October 1990, columns 771–72, and 30 June 1993, column 511.

  Legal Advice
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade from what sources he receives outside legal advice for his departmental duties.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: In the first place I look to the solicitor to the Department of Trade and Industry and his staff. I also have access, where necessary, to advice from the law officers. In cases where special expertise is required or where the effective use of resources makes this desirable, I make use of the services of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and of the Bar or solicitors in private practice.

  Investigating Accountants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of whether present arrangements are sufficient to ensure that no conflict of interest arises when investigating accountants are appointed as receivers of a company; and if he will make a statement.
  212
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: This issue has been brought to my attention many times but a convincing case for statutory intervention has yet to be made.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to review the arrangements whereby investigating accountants can be appointed as receivers of a company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: My Department has already contributed to a review of ethical guidance initiated by the insolvency profession which covered, amongst other things, the issue of investigating accountants being appointed receivers and I do not believe further action is appropriate at the moment.

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made about value added tax exemption being removed following the possible privatisation of the Royal Mail; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: The EC sixth VAT directive requires the supply of services by the public postal services to be VAT exempt. A privatised Royal Mail would continue to provide public postal services. The Government are therefore satisfied that VAT would not be charged on stamps sold by a privatised Royal Mail.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will now extend the current review of the enforcement of fire safety legislation to allow further consultation with fire service authorities and with particular reference to the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: The review of fire safety enforcement and legislation involves consultation with all interested parties. These include representatives of all the various fire service bodies, including the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

  Companies Legislation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the SRU report on the options for changing the structure of Companies House and company registration.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 March 1994]: We are currently considering the SRU report and have yet to take any decision on its publication.

  RUSSIA: DESTRUCTION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
  RUSSIA: DESTRUCTION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
  HONG KONG: ANNUAL REPORT
  HONG KONG: ANNUAL REPORT
  SARAJEVO: ADMINISTRATION
  SARAJEVO: ADMINISTRATION
  POLAND: RESOLUTION OF AIR SERVICES DISPUTE
  POLAND: RESOLUTION OF AIR SERVICES DISPUTE
  TRANSPORT RESEARCH LABORATORY: FUTURE
  TRANSPORT RESEARCH LABORATORY: FUTURE
  MATERNITY BENEFITS
  MATERNITY BENEFITS
  SECURE TRAINING CENTRES
  SECURE TRAINING CENTRES
  WIND FARMS: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
  WIND FARMS: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
  WIND FARMS: ECOLOGICAL SURVEY
  WIND FARMS: ECOLOGICAL SURVEY
  MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY: RESPONSE TO LAW COMMISSION REPORT
  MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY: RESPONSE TO LAW COMMISSION REPORT
  ECSC TREATY SUBSIDY RULES INFRINGEMENT: UK POLICY
  ECSC TREATY SUBSIDY RULES INFRINGEMENT: UK POLICY
  BRITISH STEEL: FINE
  BRITISH STEEL: FINE
  CAP: EFFECT ON PRICES
  CAP: EFFECT ON PRICES
  ROYAL PARKS: TRAFFIC SURVEY
  ROYAL PARKS: TRAFFIC SURVEY