Written Answers of 24 March 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will extend legal aid to those wishing to present appeals to(a) the employment appeals tribunal and (b) employment tribunals.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Civil legal aid is already available, subject to the normal means and merits tests, for those appearing before the employment appeals tribunal. There are no plans to extend civil legal aid to industrial tribunals. However, legal advice and assistance under the green form scheme is available to those who are financially eligible.

  Mr. Justice Wood
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the basis of the Lord Chancellor's professional differences with Mr. Justice Wood.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No. It would not be right for me to comment on the relationship of the Lord Chancellor, as head of the judiciary, and any judicial officer.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who is the press spokeswoman who advised the press of the Lord Chancellor's views about Mr. Justice Wood's stewardship of employment appeal tribunal applications; and what was the basis on which this was done.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's head of information advised those members of the press who approached her concerning Sir John Wood's stewardship of the employment appeals tribunal. In each case, she was asked to comment on correspondence between the Lord Chancellor and Sir John in 1993 in which the Lord Chancellor had drawn Sir John's attention to the rule 3 procedure by which the EAT was able to deal with the mounting backlog of cases in the employment appeals tribunal.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what reason was given by Mr. Justice Wood for his retirement as president of the employment appeals tribunal.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I am not aware of the reason for Mr. Justice Wood's retirement.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what occasion and by what method the Lord Chancellor asked Mr. Justice Wood to reconsider his decision to permit appellants to the employment appeals tribunal the facility of advancing their cases at preliminary hearings; what were his reasons for doing so; and what response was made.
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  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I am not in a position to comment on private communications between the Lord Chancellor and judges.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representation he has received from(a) Lord Justice Purchas, (b) other judges and (c) the judge's representative body about his relationship with Mr. Justice Wood, prior to the latter's retirement as president of the employment appeals tribunal; and what action he has taken.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None.

  Judges
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his powers and his practice in discussing with judges their stewardship of cases in relation to cost, conduct and the legal principles involved.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No; I have no such powers.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance he gives to judges about dismissing employment appeals on the basis of written submissions only.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None; the procedure is prescribed in the statutory rules.

  Land Registry
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what changes he proposes to make to Her Majesty's Land Registry trading fund's external financing limit for 1993–94.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The external financing limit for 1993–94 for Her Majesty's Land Registry trading fund will be reduced from £0 million to minus £29 million. This results from increases in fee income, efficiency and lower capital expenditure.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for the last 12 months how many parliamentary questions he has referred to one of his Department's agencies for answer; and what percentage of parliamentary questions to his Department this represents.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the 12-month period 1 March 1993 to 28 February 1994 13 parliamentary questions to my Department were referred to one or other of the Department's agencies for answer. This figure represents 1·79 per cent. of the total number of parliamentary questions to my Department for answer in the same period.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost; and on what subjects.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I answer parliamentary questions on the basis set out in paragraph 27 of "Questions of
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  Procedure for Ministers". I also seek to comply with the Madam Speaker's guidance on the need for brief answers to oral questions.

  Child Witnesses
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures are being taken by courts in Wales to protect child witnesses with particular reference to the use of screens, television link equipment and pre-recorded interviews; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In Wales, TV links and video playback equipment are in place at the following crown court centres; Caernarfon, Cardiff, Mold, Newport, and Swansea. Arrangements can be made for screens to be available at all Crown court centres and county courts in Wales if required. All magistrates courts in Wales have access to screens and video playback equipment, and may use the TV links in place at Crown court centres.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which courts in Wales have child liasion officers to protect child witnesses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is a designated child liaison officer for every crown court centre, including the following in Wales: Caernarfon; Cardiff; Carmarthen; Dolgellau; Haverfordwest; Merthyr Tydfil; Mold; Newport; Swansea, and Welshpool.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many letters were received from, and written to, hon. Members by the Lord Chancellor and by him in February.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  During the month of February 1994 the total number of letters received and dispatched to hon. Members by the Lord Chancellor and myself was as follows:

  Number

  Total received

  748

  Total dispatched

  423

PRIME MINISTER

  Education Standards, Barnet
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit the London borough of Barnet to discuss education standards.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate plans to do so, but I am aware of the improved GCSE results in all the secondary schools in my hon. Friend's constituency.

  Seals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 10 February,Official Report, column 414, how the embassy in Moscow raises the issue of seal pup slaughter in Russia; and what action will be taken to raise the matter of the killing of seals on the shores of the Caspian sea.
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  The Prime Minister
  The embassy in Moscow continues to raise the subject of public concern over seal hunting with the Russians during meetings with appropriate officials. The issue was most recently discussed with the chairman of the sub-committee on science in the Russian Parliament. The embassy is also seeking an early opportunity to raise the subject of hunting in the Caspian sea with officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 24 March.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 24 March.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 8 March,Official Report, column 148, what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with water pump and water filter manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies about supplies of medicines and equipment to authorities in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

  The Prime Minister
  None. Our substantial aid to Iraq is organised through the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations, not through manufacturers directly.

  Mr. Justice Wood
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from(a) individual judges and (b) the judge's representative body about the Lord Chancellor's relationship with Mr. Justice Wood, prior to the latter's retirement as president of the employment appeals tribunal; and what action he will take.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Security and Intelligence Agencies
  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Prime Minister what provision is being sought in the 1994–95 supply estimates for the security and intelligence agencies.

  The Prime Minister
  The 1994–95 supply estimate for class XIX, vote 2 "Cabinet Office: security and intelligence services", published today, fulfils the commitment I gave on 24 November 1993,Official Report, column 52, to bring together the aggregate expenditure of the security and intelligence services into a single vote.

  Total provision sought for 1994–95 is £881·486 million, around 8 per cent. below forecast outturn for 1993–94. Provision for these services is planned to decline by around a further 5 per cent. in cash terms by 1996–97.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total numbers of prisoners in custody in England and Wales, on(a) 1 June 1979, (b) 1 June 1983, (c) 1 June 1987 and (d) 1 April 1992, and on the latest date for which figures are available.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 24 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what were the total number of prisoners in custody in England and Wales, on (a) 1st June 1979, (b) 1st June 1983, (c) 1st June 1987 and (d) 1st April 1992, and on the latest date for which figures are available.
  The readily available information for the historical prison population is for the last day of each month. It is given in the attached table for the day preceding the date requested and for Tuesday 22 March 1994.

  Prison population in England and Wales: 1979–94

  Date

  Number of persons1

  31 May 1979

  42,369

  31 May 1983

  43,473

  31 May 1987

  49,255

  31 March 1992

  47,746

  22 March 1994

  48,378

  1Includes prisoners held in police cells.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total numbers of prisoners in custody in England and Wales on the first day of each month from May 1992 until the latest month for which figures are available.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 24 March 1994.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what were the total numbers of prisoners in custody in England and Wales, on the first day of each month from May 1992 until the latest month for which figures are available.
  The readily available information for the historical prison population is for the last day of each month. It is given in the attached table for the day preceding the date requested and for Tuesday 22 March 1994.

  Prison population including those held in police cells, England and Wales, April 1992—March 1994

  Last day of each month

  Total population

  1992

  April

  47,738

  May

  46,696

  June

  46,832

  July

  46,875

  August

  46,350

  346

  Last day of each month

  Total population

  September

  45,835

  October

  43,905

  November

  43,064

  December

  40,606

  1993

  January

  41,561

  February

  42,882

  March

  43,195

  April

  43,391

  May

  43,585

  June

  44,246

  July

  44,830

  August

  45,633

  September

  46,211

  October

  46,886

  November

  47,153

  December

  45,214

  1994

  January

  46,902

  February

  47,945

  22 March

  48,378

  Campsfield Detention Centre
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits have been made to the Campsfield detention centre by officials of his Department since 18 February; and what was discussed with the management of the centre.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There is a permanent team of seven Immigration Service staff at the Campsfield House detention centre responsible for local operational matters and monitoring the performance of the managing contractor, Group 4 Total Security Ltd. The team is supplemented if necessary. In addition, since 18 February 1994, weekly visits have been made to Campsfield House by senior Immigration Service officials to consider with Group 4 Total Security Ltd. all aspects of domestic and operational management of the centre.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees have been moved from Campsfield detention centre since 18 February; and how many of them have been(a) released, (b) moved to other detention centres and (c) moved to prison.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Since 18 February a total of 82 detainees have been moved from the Campsfield House immigration detention centre.

  Of these, 26 have been given temporary admission to the United Kingdom, 10 have been transferred to other immigration detention centres and 11 to prisons. The remaining 35 were removed from the United Kingdom.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to Group 4 staff in the care and welfare of immigration detainees.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  All Group 4 Total Security Ltd. staff employed under contract to provide detention management services receive a minimum of 15 days' initial training on all aspects of health and safety, race relations, domestic management and the duty of care
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  towards immigration detainees. A refresher course is provided after one year's service and at yearly intervals thereafter.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were on hunger strike on 18 March; and how many in each centre were involved in this form of protest.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The numbers of immigration detainees refusing meals on 18 March 1994 were as follows:

  Location

  Number

  Campsfield House detention centre

  82

  Haslar holding centre

  37

  Harmondsworth detention centre

  16

  HMP Canterbury

  18

  HMP High Down

  6

  HMP Birmingham

  3

  HMP Blakenhurst

  3

  HMP Bullingdon

  2

  HMP Pentonville

  2

  Total

  169

  Royal Family (Car Parking)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to chief constables that police officers should not work on car parking supervision duties for members of the royal family except in cases dealing with security; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  No. Chief officers are well able to deal with these matters sensibly without the need for central guidance.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) spouses and (b) children have been allowed to enter the United Kingdom since he announced that couples who had been separated for five years and couples with children could apply for their cases to be reviewed; how many cases are currently awaiting decision; if he will reduce the current limits to cases being reviewed; and if he will make a statement.

  Number of persons awaiting first interview and waiting times (in months) to first interview2 in the settlement queues in the Indian sub-continent, as at 31 December 1992 and 1993.

  31 December 1992

  31 December 1993

  Queue3

  Number awaiting first interview

  Waiting time to first interview (months)

  Number awaiting first interview

  Waiting time to first interview (months)

  Bangladesh (Dhaka)

  Queue 1

  522

  3

  5—

  5—

  Queue 2

  1,830

  6

  5—

  5—

  Queue 3

  252

  7

  5—

  5—

  Queue 4

  293

  9

  5—

  5—

  India (Bombay)

  Queue 1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Queue 2

  124

  4

  90

  4

  Queue 3

  351

  7

  304

  7

  Queue 4

  239

  10

  268

  10

  India (New Delhi)

  Queue 1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Queue 2

  298

  3

  305

  3

  348
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the changes to the operation of the primary purpose rule in June 1992.

  Information on total acceptances for settlement of spouses and children in the 12 months ending 30 June 1993 is published in table 3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 33–93 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—First and Second Quarters 1993". It is planned to publish information for the second half of 1993 around the end of April.

  The available information on cases awaiting a decision is for entry clearance applications in the Indian sub-continent. Information on such applications by spouses and children outstanding at 31 December 1992 is published in table 2·3 of Home Office command paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1992" (Cm 2368). Summary information on such applications outstanding at 30 June 1993 is published in tables 8 and 9 of the bulletin. Corresponding information in respect of entry clearance applications outside the Indian sub-continent, or of applications made after entry, is not separately identified in available statistics.

  We have no plans for further changes to the operation of the primary purpose rule.

  Copies of the publications are in the Library.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a citizens charter applying to those who are subject to immigration control; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A number of steps have already been taken to carry through the principles of the citizens charter in the immigration field, including the publication of the Immigration Service (ports) operating plan. The programme is founded on delivering a high quality public service which maintains firm controls on immigration.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, to the latest available date, the numbers in all queues who have applied to all British posts on the Indian sub-continent; what is the current average waiting time in each queue; and if he will list the comparable figures for the same period a year ago.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is given in the following table.
  349

  31 December 1992

  31 December 1993

  Queue3

  Number awaiting first interview

  Waiting time to first interview (months)

  Number awaiting first interview

  Waiting time to first interview (months)

  Queue 3

  246

  7

  207

  8

  Queue 4

  117

  10

  109

  10

  India (Madras)4

  Queue 1–4

  21

  0–5

  28

  2

  India (Calcutta)

  Queue 1–4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pakistan (Islamabad)

  Queue 1

  45

  3

  82

  3

  Queue 2

  844

  3

  1,257

  3

  Queue 3

  224

  6

  241

  6

  Queue 4

  901

  9

  763

  9

  Pakistan (Karachi)

  Queue 1–4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1No queuing system is in operation in Karachi as all applicants are contacted by letter requesting specific details before a decision is reached.

  2The number of months which the last applicant interviewed had waited for his/her first interview.

  First-time settlement applicants:

  3 Queue 1: persons with a claim to the right of abode.

  dependant relatives over 70 years old.

  special compassionate cases.

  Queue 2: Spouses.

  Queue 3: Fiance(e)s.

  other applicants for settlement.

  Queue 4: re-applicants.

  4All applicants seeking settlement are placed in the same queue.

  5Figures for Dhaka at 31 December 1993 are not yet available. Waiting times at 30 June was published in table 10 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Issue 33/93, Control of Immigration: Statistics—First and Second Quarters 1993".

  Chelmsford Prison (Drugs)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of drug abuse were discovered in Chelmsford prison in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the different types of drugs that have been found in Chelmsford prison in each year since 1990;

  (3) how many visitors to Chelmsford prison have been found to be in possession of illegal drugs while visiting Chelmsford prison each year since 1990; and what subsequent action was taken against them;

  (4) how often cells and other parts of Chelmsford prison are searched for drugs by staff and sniffer dogs; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what action is being taken to seek to reduce the incidence of drug abuse within Chelmsford prison; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Simon Burns, dated 24 March 1994.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your five recent Questions about drugs at Chelmsford prison.
  The number of unauthorised drug finds at Chelmsford, including materials used in connection with such drugs in each of the years since 1990 was 64, 61, 68, 66 respectively. So far this year there have been seven finds.
  Details of the type of drugs found at Chelmsford were not recorded before 1991. Since then 156 finds have involved cannabis, five of cocaine, five of heroin and one each of
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  mescaline, opium, LSD and amphetamine. There were seven finds in which the drugs were either unprescribed medication or discovered in the visits area and not tested.
  Records of visitors to Chelmsford found in possession of controlled drugs were not kept before 1993. Since then 14 visitors were arrested by the Police and one was warned by staff. Details of the action subsequently taken by the police or courts are not readily available.
  An average of 130 cells containing approximately 190 inmates, and all other areas such as workshops, are routinely searched every month. In addition special searches are carried out when it is suspected that a prisoner may be in possession of drugs. Searches using dogs were carried out in 1990, 1991 and 1993.
  An x-ray machine was installed in 1993 to examine visitors baggage. The Police are called if anyone is found attempting to bring drugs into the prison. It is open to the Governor to then require that visits to the prisoner concerned will be restricted and allowed only under closely supervised conditions. He may also exclude such visitors from visiting the prison.
  Any inmate with a drug addiction problem is offered a seven day detoxification programme and counselling by trained Health Care Staff, on being received at the prison. Counsellors from the National Children's Society run a "Drugwatch" group three times a week for an average of six inmates and appropriate treatment is offered by the Medical Officer.
  Reducing drug misuse is one of the Prison Service's top priorities. We shall reduce the opportunities for prisoners to obtain drugs by improving detection. The use of x-ray machines has already helped and greater use of, information has enabled resources to be targeted on potential offenders. The new clause being introduced in the Criminal Justice Bill will allow prisoners to be tested for drugs. We also aim to reduce the demand for drugs in prisons. Our new Drug Strategy will provide improved support and treatment for those misusing drugs, including drug support units to help prisoners who wish to break the habit.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to reduce the number of asylum applicants held in custody; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Only a very small proportion of people who have sought asylum are detained. The available information shows that on 17 March 1994 a total of 654 people who had sought asylum at some stage, including those awaiting removal or the determination of an appeal, were held in detention. It is Immigration Service policy to grant temporary admission wherever possible, and detention is authorised only where there is no other alternative and where there are good grounds for believing that the person will not comply with the terms of temporary admission. Account is taken of all relevant circumstances, including the means by which the person arrived in this country, any past immigration history and the person's ties with the United Kingdom.

  Detained cases are reviewed regularly and if there is any indication that asylum is likely to be granted then the person is released immediately.

  One of the aims of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 is to ensure that asylum applications are resolved more quickly. The Act provides that anyone who is refused asylum may appeal against the decision, and that those who do appeal may seek bail from the independent appellate authorities.

  Prison Places
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total numbers of prison places in England and Wales on(a) 1 June 1979, (b) 1 June 1983, (c) 1 June 1987 and (d) 1 April 1992 and on the latest date for which figures are available.

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

  Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 23 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of prison places in England and Wales.
  The readily available information on prison places before September 1990 was collected on the last day of each month. The table gives the certified normal accommodation (CNA), that is uncrowded capacity, for the days preceding those requested and for Tuesday 22 March 1994.

  Date

  CNA

  31 May 1979

  37,890

  31 May 1983

  38,775

  31 May 1987

  41,688

  31 March 1992

  45,469

  22 March 1994

  47,463

  Bodies, Gloucestershire
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that Gloucestershire police have all the necessary resources to pursue inquiries relating to the identification of the nine bodies so far recovered in Gloucester, and the unearthing of any further bodies and the bringing to justice of the persons responsible.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Police grant, at the rate of 51 per cent. of final expenditure, will be paid on the costs of the investigation. It is open to Gloucestershire Police 352
  Authority to apply for a special payment of grant over and above this, if it considered that the financial burden would threaten the efficiency of the force.

  Form RPF37
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of form RPF37 his Department issued in 1993; and how many are held in stock.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the number of copies of form RPF37 issued to electors is not collected centrally. HMSO currently holds 135,000 copies of form RPF37 in stock. Additionally, copies of the form are held by local electoral registration officers and by British consulates abroad.

  Casinos
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter the rules and regulations governing applications for casino licences.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have no plans to alter the rules governing how applications for casino licences are made. We have under review the Gaming Clubs (Permitted Areas) Regulations 1971 which prescribe the areas of England and Wales in which casinos are permitted.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of category A prisoners,(a) men and (b) women being held in prisons in England and Wales as of 1 March; and if he will list the category of offence of which such inmates were convicted.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 24 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of category A prisoners, men and women, being held in prisons in England and Wales. You also requested information about the category of offence of which such inmates were convicted.
  The following table gives the figures for sentenced and unsentenced category A prisoners as at 1 March 1994:

  Sentenced

  Unsentenced

  Total

  Male

  501

  137

  638

  Female

  2

  1

  3

  Total

  503

  138

  641

  The offences of which these prisoners were convicted or stand charged include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences, robbery, firearms offences, offences involving explosions or explosives and serious drugs-related offences.

  Malaysian Airlines
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates Ministers, or officials from his Department, including his Department's
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  agencies, have used the Malaysian airline MAS for each year since 1985 including this year to date on official business; and what was the cost of each flight to his Department.

  Mr. Howard
  The available record covers the period since 1991. It shows that two Home Office officials took MAS flights on three occasions between June and September 1991 at a total cost of £6,132.

  Dianetics and Scientology Mission
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about the recruitment of young people and their involvement in the activities of the Dianetics and Scientology Mission of Bournemouth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have not been able to trace any recent representations on this matter.

  Prison Escapes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates have escaped from prison in England and Wales during each of the last five years; and how many of such escapees are still at large.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 24 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the Office, to reply to your recent Question asking for details of the number of inmates who have escaped from prison in England and Wales during each of the last 5 years and the number of such escapees still at large.
  The following table lists the number of prisoners who have escaped and the number still unlawfully at large:

  Year

  Number of escapes

  Number of inmates unlawfully at large

  1989

  161

  7

  1990

  195

  2

  1991

  303

  10

  1992

  254

  30

  1993

  204

  21

  Isle of Man Companies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what exemptions from the requirements to file are enjoyed by companies registered in the Isle of Man.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Companies registered in the Isle of Man are governed by Manx legislation. I understand that under Isle of Man company law the requirement that a copy of the balance sheet of public companies should be filed in the Isle of Man companies registry with each annual return does not extend to private companies.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners from(a) South Yorkshire, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) West Yorkshire and (d) Humberside are currently serving custodial sentences in prisons in Wales; and if he will give for each prisoner, the length of their sentence, when they were committed and the nature of their offence.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 24 March 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many prisoners from (a) South Yorkshire, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) West Yorkshire and (d) Humberside are currently serving custodial sentences in prisons in Wales; and if he will give for each prisoner, the length of their sentence, when they were committed and the nature of their offence.
  The information available on where prisoners originate is for the county of the sentencing court. The latest provisional statistics are for 31 December 1993. On that date 3 inmates who had been sentenced by courts in South Yorkshire were held in Prison Service establishments in Wales. Of these, one was serving a life sentence for murder (sentenced in July 1983), one was serving a sentence of 5 years 6 months for indecent assault (sentenced in July 1993) and one was serving a sentence of 2 years 5 months for an offence which is not separately coded (sentenced in November 1992).

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the last 12 months how many parliamentary questions he has referred to one of his Department's agencies for answer; and what percentage of parliamentary questions to his Department this represents.

  Mr. Howard
  Records show that between 1 April 1993 and 21 March 1994, 492 parliamentary questions tabled to my Department were referred to the chief executive of an agency. This figure represents approximately 12 per cent. of the total number of parliamentary questions to the Home Office.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last five years he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost; and on what subjects.

  Mr. Howard
  I answer parliamentary questions on the basis set out in paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". In replying to oral questions I seek to comply with Madam Speaker's guidance on the need for brief answers.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what account he has taken of the research evidence provided by Professor Lee Bridges and the University of Warwick on the projected cost to the legal aid budget of provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill;
  355
  (2) if he will list all aspects of increased costs and reduced costs to public funds that his Department estimates will arise from his proposed changes to the right to silence;

  (3) if he will publish a full breakdown of the cost implications in respect of legal aid that his Department estimates will arise from his proposed changes to the right to silence (a) at the police station and otherwise prior to court appearance and (b) in court.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answers 22 and 23 March 1994]: I am aware of the article by Mr. Lee Bridges, which speculates on possible costs arising from implementation of the provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill concerning the drawing of inferences from the silence of an accused person under police questioning or at court.

  The Government do not expect these provisions to have any significant financial effects.

  Child Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spends on child care provision for the under-fives and out-of-school provision for children aged over five either directly, excluding provision for departmental staff, or indirectly through resources made available to local authorities or other organisations; what form of provision is thereby provided; how many places are thereby provided; and if he will make a statement on child care.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 14 March 1994]: The information requested is not available centrally. The only information on child care provision held within the Home Office relates to provision made for departmental staff.

TREASURY

  VAT on Fuel
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to end VAT avoidance by advance payment of fuel bills in the event of any further additions to the VAT rate in April 1995.

  Sir John Cope
  I have no plans to bring forward any such proposals.

  Financial Services Act 1986
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many traders are monitored by each of the authorised bodies under the provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Mr. Nelson
  The numbers of entries recorded on the Securities and Investments Board central register on 18 March 1994 were:

  Numbers

  Members of Self-Regulation Organisations

  FIMBRA

  5,752

  IMRO

  1,144

  LAUTRO

  613

  SFA

  1,306

  (less double counting)1

  (194)

  Total regulated by SROs

  8,621

  Directly authorised by SIB

  67

  356

  Numbers

  Certified by recognised professional bodies

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

  5,172

  Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

  476

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

  197

  Chartered Association of Certified Accountants

  994

  The Law Society

  7,303

  The Law Society of Scotland

  908

  The Law Society of Northern Ireland

  452

  Insurance Brokers Registration Council

  1,404

  Institute of Actuaries

  35

  Total authorised under s15

  16,941

  Other authorised persons

  Authorised in other Member States2

  3

  Insurance companies3

  217

  Friendly Societies4

  216

  (less double counting)5

  (446)

  Totals of authorised persons and registered exempt firms

  25,619

  1 Some firms are members of more than one SRO.

  2 Authorised by virtue of s31 of the FSA.

  3 Insurance companies authorised by virtue of s22 of the FSA.

  4 Friendly societies authorised by virtue of s23 of the FSA.

  5 Europersons, insurance companies and friendly societies are members of SROs and some firms moving between categories (eg RPB and SRO) may be temporarily authorised twice.

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part the United Kingdom is taking, directly or indirectly, in discussions on reconstituting the ERM or operating an informal ERM; what undertakings, assurances and understandings, express or implied, have been given by Her Majesty's Government to the European Commission or monetary authorities or other EEC Governments concerning the relationship between sterling and the ecu; and to what extent the change in the value of sterling against the ecu in the 11 months to January 1994 is a reflection of such undertakings, assurances and understandings.

  Mr. Nelson
  The United Kingdom will continue to play a full and active part in discussions on monetary co-operation in stage 2 of economic and monetary union. But our policy on the exchange rate mechanism is well-known. We cannot consider rejoining the ERM until there is greater convergence between the monetary policies appropriate for all Community economies and we should need to be satisfied that the system would be operated for the benefit of all its members. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have made clear that sterling will not rejoin the ERM in this Parliament.

  The Government have given no undertakings, assurances or understandings express or implied concerning the relationship between sterling and the ecu to any person or institution. Sterling's exchange rate against the ecu reflects day-to-day market trading in all of the Community currencies.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Angling
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to encourage young people to take up angling as a sport.

  Mr. Brooke
  This is a matter for angling's governing bodies. Most of my Department's funding for sport is made
  357
  through the Sports Council. Its annual grant to angling's governing bodies is intended to enable the promotion of angling and to increase participation levels.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to use part of the proposed millennium fund to fund projects put forward by angling organisations; and what plans he has to inform such organisations of the availability of these funds.

  Mr. Brooke
  Decisions on funding projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium will be the responsibility of the Millennium Commission. Angling organisations may also be eligible to apply for lottery funds from the four national sports councils. All distributors of national lottery funds are expected to publish guidelines for applicants during the summer.

  Malaysian Airlines
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the dates Ministers, or officials from his Department, including his Department's agencies, have used the Malaysian airline MAS for each year since 1992, including this year to date, on official business; and what was the cost of each flight to his Department.

  Mr. Brooke
  No Minister or official has travelled on MAS on official business since the Department was formed in April 1992.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list for the past 12 months how many parliamentary questions he has referred to one of his Department's agencies for answer; and what percentage of parliamentary questions to his Department this represents.

  Mr. Brooke
  In the last 12 months my Department received 832 written questions. Of these, 20 were referred to agency chief executives for reply. This represents just over 2 per cent. of the total.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for the last 12 months how many parliamentary questions he has referred to one of his Department's agencies for answer; and what percentage of parliamentary questions to his Department this represents.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None.

  Technology Foresight
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration the panels to be set up under the technology foresight programme will be giving to the potential environmental impacts of the areas of technology to be investigated.

  Mr. David Davis
  Each of the 15 sector panels established under the technology foresight programme will take account of environmental and other relevant factors in assessing market and technological opportunities over the 358
  next 10 to 20 years. In addition, one of the sector panels has the specific task of undertaking foresight into agriculture, natural resources and all aspects of environmental protection.

  Campaigns
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer of 2 March,Official Report, columns 767–68, regarding advertising campaigns by the Cabinet Office, what is (a) the budgeted and actual cost of each campaign listed for 1993–94 and (b) the budgeted cost of each campaign listed for 1994–95.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information requested for 1993–94 is set out in the following table. The budget for 1994–95 will be finalised shortly.

  Campaign

  Budgeted Cost

  Actual Cost

  OPSS

  Publicity for 1993 Charter Marie Winners1

  —

  311,747

  Promotion of the 1994 Charter Mark Scheme1

  —

  66,383

  Charterline Advertising1

  —

  542,010

  Civil Service College

  Promotion of courses and other activities

  352,000

  342,000

  HMSO

  Promotion of publications, videos and IT product range

  1,105,000

  1,344,000

  Promotion of HMSO's status as a British Standards Institution Agent

  —

  57,000

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

  125,000

  101,000

  Notes:

  1 There was no separate budget for advertising for the three OPSS campaigns. Advertising was included in the overall budget for each of the projects.

  2 HMSO's financial year ends on 31 December and the figures quoted relate to the calendar year 1993.

TRANSPORT

  London Buses
  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to offer the 10 London Buses' operating companies for sale.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to offer the 10 London Buses' operating companies for sale.

  Mr. Norris
  I am today announcing the launch of the sale of London Buses' operating companies. I am sure that the innovation and market responsiveness of the private sector will result in great improvements to our bus services. The quality of service and the cost-effectiveness of London's bus service has improved considerably since the private sector began to compete for contracts in London. Privatisation of the London Buses' operating companies will capitalise on those achievements and bring further benefits to both taxpayers and passengers.
  359
  I recognise the popularity of the traditional red bus. I have therefore decided that the purchasers of the London Buses' companies will be required to retain the red livery on the routes which they operate in Central London.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many different and distinct bus liveries he expects will be adopted in London subsequent to privatisation of bus routes; what requirement there is by him on London Transport that buses serving any one route will all be of the same livery; and whether the rules on code of practice concerning advertising on buses will be the same as, or similar to, those of London Buses Ltd. and its predecessors.

  Mr. Norris
  It is not possible to say at this stage how many different bus liveries there will be in London in the future. However, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question from my hon. Friends, the Members for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) and for Surbition (Mr. Tracey), in which I gave the assurance that steps are being taken to ensure that the red bus will remain a familiar sight on London's streets after the privatisation of the London Buses Ltd. subsidiary companies. It would be for London Transport to consider whether there is a need to ensure that buses serving the same route have the same livery. The code of practice covering advertisements on buses after privatisation will be consistent with that which currently applies.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are being made for lost

  Number of staff

  Grade

  Total cost (£)

  Location

  Department of Transport (Central) (DOT(C))1

  24

  G3 and below

  211,523

  Mainly London

  Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)1

  78

  G6 and below

  560,024

  Crowthome

  Driver Vehicle Operators Information Technology (DVOIT)2

  25

  SEO and below

  1,170,914

  South Wales

  Driving Standards Agency (DSA)3

  49

  Senior Driving Examiner and below

  344,291

  All regions

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)4

  16

  Grade 5 and below

  431,641

  South Wales

  Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency (VI)5

  9

  SPTO and below

  218,627

  All regions

  1 The money to finance the DOT(C) and TRL payments will come from class IV vote 2 running costs subhead A1.

  2 The money to finance these payments will come from class VI vote 2 running costs subhead KI.

  3 The money to finance these payments will come from class VI vote 3 running costs subhead H2.

  4 The money to finance these payments will come from class VI vote 4 running costs subhead A1.

  5 VI is off vote. Money to finance these payments is subject to the provisions of the Trading Fund Act.

  Heavy Goods Vehicle Operators
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the present enforcement regime to deal with heavy goods vehicle operators who do not hold a current heavy goods vehicle operator's licence.

  Mr. Key
  I am satisfied that enforcement against illegal HGV operators has a sufficiently high priority within the Department's enforcement programme. Also that enforcement resources are being directed against making it increasingly difficult for people who do not hold a goods vehicle operator's licence and show a disregard for the requirements of operator licensing to continue to operate outside the licensing system.

  The Department is committed to dealing with the problem of illegally operated heavy goods vehicles and its enforcement resources are being co-ordinated and directed
  360
  property on privatised London bus routes; and how they will differ for the public from those now obtaining under London Transport.

  Mr. Norris
  The current arrangements for dealing with lost property on London's buses are set out in the route contracts under which bus operators, both public and private, run services on behalf of London Transport. There are no plans to alter those arrangements as a result of the privatisation of the London Buses Ltd. subsidiary companies.

  Severance Payments
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the provisions he has made in the forthcoming financial year for severance payments; and if he will list the sums and the vote and subhead from which it will come.

  Mr. Norris
  The size of any provision needed for severance payments for the Department and its agencies for the financial year 1994–95 is still being considered.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by locations, agency or division the numbers of grades and costs of his staff who have been given severance pay-offs this financial year; and from which vote and subhead the money to finance such payments was made.

  Mr. Norris
  The severance payments made so far in this financial year for DOT(c) and its agencies are as follows:

  against the problem. The problem is also one of concern to other regulatory and enforcement authorities. Enforcement resources are therefore being co-ordinated and directed against it with some success through the work of the Department's illegal operations working group. The working group was formed in response to concerns expressed by the traffic commissioners about unlicensed operators and in particular a concern about drivers and operators who continue to operate having had their licences revoked.

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

  Mr. MacGregor
  The information is not available in precisely this form. The entertainment budget for all
  361
  Ministers offices in 1993–94 is £16,000 which covers the cost of all ministerial and departmental entertainment for official purposes.

  Open Government
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the implications for the operation of his Department of the code of practice on open government.

  Mr. Norris
  The code of practice will reinforce and build on my Department's existing arrangements for the provision of information.

  Both the Department and its agencies already do much to keep the public informed, by way of publishing "popular" policy documents and background papers. They also aim to answer written inquiries from the public within 15 working days, a target which is within the 20 working day period set by the code.

  Operational details concerning implementation of the code will be announced nearer to the time of the launch.

  Staff Records
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the staff attendance records, including sickness absence, of his Department's staff, stored on computer, are covered by the Data Protection Act 1984; and if access to the information so stored is allowed to the individuals concerned.

  Mr. Norris
  Computerised attendance records relating to staff sick absences within the Department of Transport are registered under the Data Protection Act. The information is made available, on written request, to the individuals concerned.

  London Traffic Emissions
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of traffic emission in central London he estimates comes from(a) buses, (b) licensed taxi cabs and (c) local authority service vehicles.

  Mr. Norris
  Figures on the performance of local authority service vehicles are not collected separately. For buses and taxis, we estimate the relative contributions to all central London traffic emissions to be as follows:

  Buses per cent.

  Taxis per cent.

  co2

  14

  11

  CO

  2

  1

  Hydrocarbons

  7

  5

  NOx

  19

  3

  Particulates

  33

  11

  Note: Figures are approximate only, but have not been rounded so that comparisons may be made.

  Public Transport
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned on the use of London buses, licensed taxis and local authority service vehicles, examining such factors as average trip length, average daily mileage, time spent in taxi ranks, bus stops or equivalent and average fuel consumption.
  362
  Mr. Norris
  The Department has conducted a number of surveys which provide information on the use of London buses and licensed taxis. These include the 1991 London area transport survey, the annual inquiry of public service vehicle operators, the London journey time survey and the national travel survey. Detailed data on taxi usage were also collected in a 1989 research project.

  In addition, London Transport and London Buses Ltd. conducts surveys which provide estimates of bus use, average waiting times and fuel consumption. There is no information available on local authority service vehicles and no recent data on taxi fuel consumption.

  Municipal Airports
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines or instructions have been issued to local authorities about the sale of municipal airports.

  Mr. Norris
  Sales of local authority airports are not subject to my right hon. Friend's consent, and no guidelines or instructions have been issued on the subject. Local authorities will be aware of the strong presumption in favour of disposing of public sector assets by open competition.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now intends that the franchising director will publish his programme for franchising of rail passenger services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has instructed the franchising director to formulate and submit to him by 5 April a programme for franchising BR's passenger services consistent with meeting the Government's targets of commencing the competitive process for the first six franchises by the end of 1994, awarding the first six franchises by the end of 1995, and securing that 51 per cent. or more of the railway passenger services currently operated by BR are provided under franchise agreements by 1 April 1996. Subject to my right hon. Friend being satisfied with the franchising director's programme I expect it to be published shortly thereafter.

  Central Line
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to make an announcement about the proposed closure of the Central line between Epping and Ongar; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Secretary of State for Transport will announce his decision on this proposal after the statutory procedures, which are currently under way, have been concluded.

  Rail Privatisation
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what indications there are from previous privatisations of transport industries that passengers will benefit from the privatisation of British Rail.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: British Airways has been transformed into one of the world's leading airlines since privatisation, with passengers benefiting from its commitment to high standards

  363
  of service. Privatisation of bus companies has resulted in greater efficiency for bus and coach services, more choice, more bus miles run, and lower cost to the taxpayers. The best way to achieve our objectives of improving the quality of the service for rail users is to provide similar approaches and opportunities for our railways.

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

  Mr. Robert Key
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1994, c. 1]: The cost information is as follows:

  It should be noted that these costs are not comparable since the porous asphalt is basically a surfacing material and contributes little to the overall strength of the road whilst the concrete surfaced road provides both a running surface and the main vehicle carrying system. Because the use of porous asphalt has only recently been permitted on trunk roads, there is not a lot of cost data on which to base estimates for its use at the moment so the estimated costs given can only be taken as indicative. The concrete costs should also be regarded as indicative since they will vary according to site and choice of pavement design.

  Approximate cost/mile

  Porous asphalt £

  Typical concrete road £

  Single carriageway

  90,000

  450,000

  2 lane dual—all purpose

  180,000

  900,000

  —motorway

  220,000

  1,100,000

  3 lane dual—all purpose

  250,000

  1,260,000

  —motorway

  275,000

  1,380,000

  4 lane dual—all purpose

  —

  —

  —motorway

  345,000

  1,750,000

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Correspondence
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters were received from, and written to, hon. Members by him and his ministerial colleagues in February.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My ministerial colleagues and I received 814 letters in February from hon. Members, to which we have replied.

  EC Majority Voting
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings were given by the Government in 1973 on majority voting in the EC; and if he will make it his policy that the present blocking minority of two major and one minor member states will not be abandoned unless agreed by the British people in a new referendum.
  364
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  In its White Paper entitled "The United Kingdom and the European Communities"—Cmnd 4715 of July 1971—which set out the terms of the United Kingdom's accession to the Community, the Government said:"All the countries concerned recognise that an attempt to impose a majority view in a case where one or more member states considered their vital interests to be at stake would imperil the very fabric of the Community."

  We have no intention of holding a referendum on the issue of qualified majority voting.

  COCOM
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government have put to the intergovernmental co-ordinating committee of western nations on technology transfer—COCOM—meetings to decide upon a successor regime to COCOM; with which non-governmental organisations his Department has discussed this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British officials have participated in a series of intergovernmental meetings to discuss new multilateral arrangements to promote transparency and responsibility in the transfer of arms and sensitive dual-use goods. In the course of these meetings they have put forward a number of proposals designed to balance concerns about potential threats to security with the need to avoid unnecessary burdens on industry. Additionally, British officials have proposed, and partners have accepted, that existing controls on arms and related items should be maintained after the end of COCOM on 31 March if the new arrangements are not in place by then.

  My Department has had no formal discussions on this issue with non-governmental organisations. However, my officials have discussed it informally with academics and representatives of other non-government bodies in the course of their regular contacts.

  Building Projects
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what major building projects valued at over £1 million are being or have been wholly or partly financed since 1989 in(a) Doncaster, (b) Barnsley, (c) Rotherham and (d) Wakefield by his Department; and what was the cost of each project to his Department.

  Mr. Goodlad
  None.

  Mrs. Timmreck
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the reasons for excluding Mrs. Timmreck from continued residence on St. Helena.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Immigration is a matter for the Government of St. Helena. On 19 Janaury 1994 the acting governor of St. Helena, exercising the power vested in him by section 10(1) of the Immigration Ordinance 1972, issued an exclusion order against Mrs. Timmreck, a Uruguayan citizen, because he was satisfied that it was not in the public interest that she should enter the island, on which she was not at the time resident.

  Israr Ahmed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reasons for the disparity between his letter of 7 March concerning Israr Ahmed—ref. GV100/20467 and A515109—that Israr Ahmed's application had been referred by the post in Islamabad to the Home Office on 22 November and the letter from the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office, dated 9 March, informing the sponsor in the United Kingdom that Israr Ahmed's application had been refused by the entry clearance officer in Islamabad.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The migration and visa correspondence unit's letter to the hon. Member dated 7 March said, correctly, that Mr., Israr Ahmed's application had been referred to the Home Office. The Home Office's subsequent letter to his sponsors, dated 9 March, said that the application was to be refused and that the ECO in Islamabad would so inform him. It did not say that the ECO had already done so. There was thus no discrepancy between the two.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) of 14 March,Official Report, columns 474–77, on matters discussed and decisions taken at the General Affairs Council on 7 and 8 March, what formal votes were taken.

  Mr. Heathcoat Amory
  There were no formal votes on matters discussed in the Council. Details of "A" points approved by the Council, as published in the Council secretariat press release issued after the Council meeting, will be placed in the Library, for this and all future Council meetings.

  South Africa (Mercury Waste)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have received regarding the local pollution effects of the processing of mercury wastes at the Thor recycling facility at Cato Ridge, South Africa, arising from the treatment of mercury-contaminated wastes imported from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received representations from Greenpeace—as part of its "Wasting the World" campaign—and from Mr. Fred Kockott of Environmental Press Service, South Africa. In his letter of 8 November, Mr. Kockott referred to a petition being given to Her Majesty's Government but extensive inquiries have failed to locate such a document.

DEFENCE

  Loan Guarantees
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will draw up proposals to offer small and medium-sized defence contractors loan guarantees for commercial ventures; and what co-ordination his Department has with the Department of Trade and Industry's loan guarantee scheme for the support of such contractors.
  366
  Mr. Aitken
  We have no plans to draw up such proposals. The rules of the scheme operated by the Department of Trade and Industry draw no distinction between defence contractors and other eligible companies. The operation of that scheme is not a matter on which either my Department or the Department of Trade and Industry see a need for co-ordination between them.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last five years he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost; and on what subjects.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department answers parliamentary questions on the basis set out in paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". My ministerial colleagues and I also seek to comply with Madam Speaker's guidance on the need for brief answers to oral questions.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the last 12 months how many parliamentary questions he has referred to one of his Department's agencies for answer; and what percentage of parliamentary questions to his Department this represents.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Ex-Service Men
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-service men remain unemployed after(a) three months, (b) six months and (c) one year following the end of their military service.

  Mr. Hanley
  Long-term statistics of this nature are not available. But data obtained from voluntary post-exit returns which ex-service personnel are encouraged to complete, indicates that some 80 per cent. of service leavers are employed or otherwise engaged in their chosen activity, such as further or higher education, within three months of discharge.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list details of accidents involving low-flying military jets over Humberside and the three counties of Yorkshire in each year since 1990 and the current year to date in which the deaths of civilian pilots and/or passengers in other aircraft were involved; and if he will make a statement about the settlements made to the bereaved civilian families.

  Mr. Hanley
  There have been no low-flying military jet accidents involving the deaths of civilians in the area, and for the period, stated.

  Nuclear Warheads (Transport)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what statutory provisions govern the applicability of speed limits to vehicles carrying nuclear warheads.

  Mr. Aitken
  Vehicles carrying nuclear warheads are subject to the same statutory provisions governing speed limits as other heavy goods vehicles.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters were received from, and written to, hon. Members by him and his ministerial colleagues in February.

  Mr. Hanley
  My ministerial colleagues and I received 638 letters from, and wrote 629 letters to, hon. Members during February 1994.

  Service Personnel (Social Functions)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the rules relating to attendance of serving members of the armed forces at social functions organised by hon. Members.

  Mr. Hanley
  Rules set out in Queen's regulations prohibit members of the armed forces from taking an active part in the affairs of any political organisation, party or movement. Provided that service personnel do not infringe these rules, they may attend social functions organised by hon. Members.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the establishment of a nuclear weapons safety group by his Department as recommended in the Oxburgh report.

  Mr. Hanley
  The nuclear weapon safety group was established in January 1993.

  Sir Peter Harding
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he was first informed that the position of Sir Peter Harding as Chief of the Defence Staff might be compromised.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence first became aware of the circumstances which lead up to the resignation of Sir Peter Harding on Saturday 12 March.

  Menwith Hill Station (Visits)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of(a) elected members of local authorities and (b) officials of local authorities who have been permitted to visit any part of the Menwith Hill station during the past five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  A number of elected representatives from local authorities in the vicinity of Menwith Hill, and their officials, have been to the station in the last five years, for social events or for local planning reasons. Detailed records of exact numbers are not, however, available for the period in question. Such visits have not included any briefing on the role of the station or any access to operation areas.

EMPLOYMENT

  Ministerial Offices
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many bottles of(a) whisky and gin and (b) sherry and port were consumed by his private offices in 1993–94.
  368
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 644, if (a) where applicable, he will place in the Library the results of any market research relating to the campaigns and (b) he will publish (i) the number of people attending the new horizons events, (ii) the number of responses from employers to the workstart campaign, (iii) the number of people who took up the jobfinders grant, (iv) the number of places offered by employers in the work trials and the take-up by unemployed people and (v) the number of people and voluntary organisations taking part in the community action programme during this financial year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  When the results of the market research are available, I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library. The answers to the remaining questions are:

  (i) To date the number of people who have attended the new horizons events is 7,800. (ii) As a result of the workstart campaign there have been in excess of 1,200 inquiries from employers. (iii) The jobfinder's grant was launched on 7 February 1994 in the east and west midlands. Up to 11 March 373 people had received grants. (iv) To the end of January 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, 11,319 unemployed people had taken part in a work trial. Figures on the number of work trials offered by employers are not collected. (v) To the end of February 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, 11,728 people had taken part in community action. Figures for the number of voluntary organisations taking part in community action are not available.

  Mr. J. C. Shaw
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from Mr. J. C. Shaw of Shaws, Master Bakers, Liverpool; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I received a letter from Mr. Shaw yesterday and will reply shortly.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the new Inter-TEC comparison quartile tables for the year ending 12 September 1993.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Inter-TEC comparison tables for 1992–93 were published on 13 September 1993. A copy is available in the Library.

  I intend to publish full-year comparisons for 1993–94 this summer. I do not plan to publish in-year tables because uneven flows of information during the year can distort comparisons of performance.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by what date applicants to become providers in the careers service will be required to express an interest in order to be considered.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department has invited initial expressions of interest by 31 March regarding careers
  369
  service provision in England from April 1995 onwards. We will continue to respond to any subsequent requests until mid-April. No organisation or individual will be prevented from submitting a bid to run a Careers Service through failure to express interest. Bids themselves are likely to be invited by the autumn.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is inviting(a) private and (b) state schools to consider applying to become providers of the careers service.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Bids to provide careers service in England will be welcome from any organisation, including schools, that believes it can meet the high standards and other requirements set out by the Department.

  Miners (Redeployment and Retraining)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what financial assistance he has 'made available to training and enterprise councils to help with the redeployment and retraining of miners from(a) Colgrave, (b) Silverhill, (c) Bevercotes, (d) Cripstone, (e) Calverton, (f) Rufford, (g) Annersley/Bentink, (h) Manton and (i) Ollerton.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The amount of financial assistance being made available through training and enterprise councils and the Employment Service is given in the following table:

  Collieries

  Indicative budgets £ million

  Cotgrave

  1·7

  Silverhill

  2·2

  Bevercotes

  2·2

  Clipstone

  2·7

  Calverton

  2·0

  Rufford

  2·2

  Annesley

  1·9

  Manton

  1·4

  Ollerton

  1·9

  Total

  18·2

  The budgets above were made available to TECs and the ES. They are also inclusive of training for work allowances.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Forestry Privatisation
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she next intends to meet employees of the Forestry Commission to discuss forestry privatisation in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have no plans to meet representatives of the Forestry Commission's employees.

  The commission's senior staff regularly meet the trade unions representing its employees to discuss a range of issues.

  Animal Transportation
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the current progress towards securing an improvement in the welfare of live animals in transit.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps she has taken to persuade the EC properly to regulate the transport of live animals; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  There has been no resolution as yet of the differences that emerged at the Agriculture Council in December, when my right hon. Friend refused to accept measures which did not offer sufficient safeguards for animal welfare.

  Farm Workers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she last met representatives of the rural, agricultural and allied workers group of the Transport and General Workers Union to discuss the welfare of farm workers.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I last met representatives of the TGWU in January 1994.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will report on progress on the introduction of the new environmentally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Jack
  Six new environmentally senstive areas were launched last week. They are in the Blackdown hills, Cotswold hills, Dartmoor, Essex coast, Shropshire hills and the upper Thames tributaries.

  Nutritional Requirements
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has for introducing an independent commission of experts to ensure that agricultural products reflect nutritional requirements.

  Mr. Soames
  I have no such plans.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to improve the welfare of animals at slaughter.

  Mr. Soames
  We shall implement the new EC directive and remaining agreed Farm Animal Welfare Council recommendations as soon as possible.

  Milk
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she has to ensure that major ex-farm purchasers of milk will be subject to regulation against uncompetitive practices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  After the end of the milk marketing scheme, milk purchasers will be subject to normal competition rules.
  371
  The restriction on the powers of the Director General of Fair Trading to make monopoly references of the wholesale of milk will be removed.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the change in farmers' income over the last year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth).

  Fruit Farmers
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received about the problems facing British fruit farmers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I have received a number of representations from consumers, growers and hon. Members, principally about the future of our unique apples; especially the Cox. We believe that many of the difficulties faced by this sector are attributable to the current EC regime for fresh fruit and vegetables, which we believe should be reformed.

  Moorland Scheme
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to promote the new moorland scheme.

  Mr. Jack
  The new moorland scheme has not yet been approved by the European Commission. As such, the details of the scheme cannot yet be finalised. When

  Number of licences currently in force by MAFF region

  Species

  Type of premises

  Northern

  North East

  North Mercia

  South Mercia

  East Midlands

  Anglia

  South East

  South West

  Wessex

  Bullfinch1

  Farm

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Brent goose

  Farm

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  5

  30

  —

  —

  Cormorant

  Fishery

  7

  —

  4

  2

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  Heron

  Fishery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  —

  Goosander

  Fishery

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Blackbird

  Farm

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Canada goose23

  Farm

  —

  3

  7

  4

  6

  4

  8

  —

  1

  Greylag goose3

  Farm

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Coot3

  Farm

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wigeon3

  Farm

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Feral pigeon4

  Factory

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  House sparrow4

  Factory

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1 Excludes the general licence issued to kill bullfinches in selected counties as the returns of action taken are not yet available.

  2 Includes the pricking of eggs.

  3 These birds all have an open season when they may be killed without a licence. The licences shown are to kill during die closed season.

  4 A general licence has been issued to kill these birds throughout the year. The licences shown are to use methods otherwise prohibited under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Fishery Protection
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether she will continue to use the Royal Navy to undertake fishery protection duties; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The Fishery Protection Squadron of the Royal Navy has provided a tried, trusted and highly professional service for many years. It commands a great respect from both our fishermen and those from other
  372
  Commission approval is received we will issue a press notice on the scheme and advise farmers how they can obtain further details.

  Bananas
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will announce her decision on the future of the single European market for bananas.

  Mr. Jack
  The European Community regime establishing the single market for bananas came into force on 1 July 1993. No decision on its future is called for from my right hon. Friend.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions she has had concerning the unpublished European Commission report on the reform of the common agricultural policy; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This internal European Commission study has yet to be completed and published. Publication is a matter for the Commission and if it decides to make the study available, I will read it with interest.

  Wild Birds
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give specific details of all current licences issued to kill wild bird species including details of the premises and the wild bird species concerned.

  Mr. Soames
  The details requested are as follows:

  member states. The use of the Royal Navy to enforce fisheries legislation has none the less been one of several services subject to detailed scrutiny by the Ministry as part of its contribution to the Government's "Competing for Quality" programme. Significant changes have been made to improve further the cost-effectiveness of the Fishery Protection Squadron. Consequently, a further contract has been negotiated enabling the Royal Navy to continue to undertake surface surveillance and fisheries enforcement for the next five years. During that period, the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the Royal Navy's execution of this task will continue to be subject to review.

  Malaysian Airlines
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the dates Ministers or officials from her Department, including her Department's agencies, have used the Malaysian airline MAS for each year since 1985 including this year to date on official business; and what was the cost of each flight to her Department.

  Mr. Jack
  Until a few years ago Ministry policy was to arrange all overseas travel for Ministers and officials on British airlines, or their reciprocal carriers, at commercial rates. We employ agents to place such bookings and, with the opening up of all Government activities to greater commercial exposure, they now have instructions to provide us, on each occasion, with the most suitable and economic route using the most appropriate airline.

  No detailed records of airlines used are kept centrally, as outside agents are used to book seats using the most suitable and economic route with the appropriate airline.

  Our agents are unable to provide us with the information required in the detail requested. Our overall impression is that the Malaysian airline MAS has been used very infrequently, if at all, for MAFF air travel in the period concerned.

  Wine Standards Board
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the remit of the Wine Standards Board; and in what ways it has changed over the last 10 years.

  Mr. Jack
  The Wine Standards Board's remit is to enforce the European Community wine regulations at production, import, export and wholesale level within the United Kingdom. This function has not changed over the last 10 years.

  Plant Health Campaign
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 10 March,Official Report, column 384, if she will place in the Library copies of any report prepared by the plant health and seeds inspectorate on the effectiveness of the plant health campaign.

  Mr. Jack
  Some 121,000 leaflets, posters and newsletters, dealing with plant health issues have been distributed. The plant health and seeds inspectorate has not prepared a formal report on whether recipients found this material effective or not. Our inspectors gauge its effectiveness from their knowledge of the general awareness of growers and the public about plant health issues. For example, the position was reflected by the good attendance at growers' meetings to discuss the single market plant health regime.

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

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The cost of purchases of alcoholic drinks for use in entertainment by Ministers and 374
  their private offices is included in the overall administrative costs for the Department which is published in the departmental report.

  Deep-sea Fish
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being conducted into the habits of reproduction and spawning of the Grenadier and other very deep-sea fish; and what assessment has been made of over-fishing of vulnerable deep-sea species.

  Mr. Jack
  Scientific advice collected by the European Commission in June 1993 suggested that deep-water species have slow rates of reproduction, high ages at first maturity and slow growth rates. These characteristics make them particularly vulnerable to over-exploitation. Experience elsewhere has shown that fishing can quickly reduce deep-water stocks to a low level.

  Other work on the subject includes a NATO advanced research workshop on deep water fisheries of the north Atlantic which took place earlier this month and an International Council for the Exploration of the Seas study group on the biology and assessment of deep-sea fishery resources which will meet in August this year. The work is expected to provide a basis for advice on the management of such resources.

  Angling
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies her Department has initiated to investigate the causes of the decline of fish catches by anglers over the last two fishing seasons.

  Mr. Jack
  The regulation and management of salmon and freshwater fisheries in England and Wales is primarily the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority. I understand that it has undertaken a number of local studies in response to concerns expressed by anglers in particular areas about the perceived decline in catches of fish.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received from angling organisations and fishery proprietors concerning the incidence of cormorants eating up freshwater fish stocks; and what proposals she has to solve the problem.

  Mr. Soames
  The following bodies have expressed their concern to the Ministry about the predation of fish by cormorants:

  Atlantic Salmon Association

  British Field Sports Society

  Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society

  Orpington and District Angling Association

  Salmon and Trout Association

  Wye Salmon Fishery Owners Association

  Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Ministry is a licensing authority for the killing of cormorants where evidence of serious damage to a fishery has been provided. The Ministry considers each application on its merits and is advised by the Agricultural Development Advisory Service, the Ministry's wildlife advisers. In addition, the Ministry consults English Nature. Together with other Government Departments and interested bodies, the Ministry is reviewing its research and development programme on piscivorous birds to inform policy better.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many confirmed cases of BSE cattle there have been on Ministry experimental farms in each of the last five years.

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Confirmed BSE cases in maternal transmission study1

  0

  0

  2

  8

  11

  Confirmed cases of BSE on other experimental farms2

  4

  1

  0

  9

  7

  1 The number of cases of BSE in this group reflects the age of the animals and the peak age of onset of disease in the epidemic. Due to the nature of the study the role played by maternal transmission will not become clear until the study is complete.

  2 These herds are run as commercial herds and have a varying incidence of the disease according to the management practices used and, where applicable, the history of the animals before purchase.

  Avian Piscivores
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will review her Department's policy on the licensed killing of fish-eating birds as a result of the report, on the basis for policy on avian piscivores, commissioned by the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 23 March 1994]: The Ministry's policy on the licensed killing of fish-eating birds is kept under continual review. The report commissioned by the National Rivers Authority on avian piscivores will be taken into account as part of the process. The Ministry is reviewing its research and development requirements on piscivorous birds and the NRA is being invited to participate.

  Agricultural Tenancies
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will make a detailed response to the proposals for agricultural tenancy reform.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I welcomed the agreements reached by the industry last December on proposed reforms.

  We are now finalising details so as to be ready to introduce legislation along those lines as soon as parliamentary time is available.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Andrew Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress she has made on reaching a conclusion on woodlands owned by the Forestry Commission in England; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The report of the Forestry Review Group was submitted to Ministers on 28 February.

  Ministers are considering the Forestry Review Group's report carefully and will make an announcement in due course.
  376
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: The information requested as at 22 March 1994 by year of report is as follows. For convenience, the animals involved in the study to determine whether maternal transmission of the disease takes place are shown separately.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the guidelines used by his Department as to whether ATP should be paid directly to a foreign Government or a private firm.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  ODA grant aid goes to recipient Governments who then make it available both to public or private sector institutions on agreed terms. Guidelines on the terms on which aid funds are to be passed on—on-lent —by the central Government to such institutions are set out in a technical note. There are no specific guidelines for on-lending under the aid and trade provision scheme. Under ATP ODA has not routinely insisted that aid funds be on-lent on commercial terms to ensure the concessionality is captured by the recipient Government. Each project is considered individually. Account is taken of requests from the central Government for the concessionality to be captured by the central Government in some other way, or for it to be passed on to the institution concerned.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions in the last 10 years on which ATP provision has been made directly to a private company and not to the foreign Government concerned.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None.

  Ukraine
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many management training projects are currently being supported by the know-how fund in the Ukraine.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Management training is an important element in many know-how fund projects in Ukraine. A list of all current know-how fund projects there is being placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the current budget is for the know-how fund in the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1993–94 the know-how fund is likely to spend about £3·5 million in Ukraine. We expect
  377
  to continue to provide assistance, mainly but not exclusively, in the agricultural, financial services, small business, and energy sectors.

  International Tropical Timber Agreement
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the reduction in the rate of tropical deforestation which is likely to result from the new international tropical umber agreement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is not possible to make such an estimate. The international timber trade is only one of many factors which influence the rate of tropical deforestation. The new international tropical timber agreement contains enhanced provisions for working towards the target of the year 2000 for all internationally traded tropical timber to come from sustainably managed forests.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money from the United Kingdom Exchequer was spent on the renegotiation of the international tropical timber agreement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development Administration contributed £64,280 towards the costs of the second preparatory conference for the renegotiation in Quito in January 1992. The travel and subsistence costs of ODA staff attending meetings related to the renegotiation were £34,681. Details of other administrative costs could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Sleeping Accommodation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans the Committee has to make bedrooms available to hon. Members on the occasion of all-night sittings following proceedings on Consolidated Fund Bills; and how many bedrooms could be made available in this way.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The Committee has no such plans. As was stated in the reply given on behalf of the Commission to the hon. Member on 15 December 1993 at column 640, there is no intention to alter existing arrangements.

  Westminster Gym
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, columns 512–13, if he will give details of space allocated and rent and other charges paid per annum by the Westminster gym.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Some 350 sq m in the basement of 1 Canon row are allocated to the Westminster gymnasium. No rent or other charges are levied.

  Disabled Visitors
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, pursuant to the answer from the chairman of the Administration Committee to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner)378
  of 2 February, Official Report, column 61, if he will make a statement on his Committee's consideration of proposals relating to access to, and within, the Palace of Westminster for wheelchair-bound strangers.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 March,Official Report, column 168, to a similar question.

  Exhibitions (Upper Waiting Hall)
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to district nursing awareness to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 13 June 19 Friday 17 June.

  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to Water Aid to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 27 June to Friday 1 July.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to food-borne disease awareness to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 23 May to Friday 27 May.

  Rooms (Allocation)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many rooms in the parliamentary estate for the use of(a) hon. Members and (b) hon. Members' staff are currently vacant; and what steps are taken to allow their short-term use by hon. Members in inadequate accommodation pending their long-term allocation.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The Committee has delegated day-to-day management of accommodation for Members and their staff to the Accommodation Whips and the Serjeant at Arms respectively. They seek to allocate rooms and desks as they become available; and consider short-term use in that context. Such allocation is an ongoing process which makes difficult the estimation of the number of rooms vacant at any one time.

SCOTLAND

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in the last five years he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost; and on what subjects.

  Mr. Lang
  In answering parliamentary questions I follow the guidelines set out in paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Correspondence
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters were received from, and written to, hon. Members by him and his ministerial colleagues in February.

  Mr. Lang
  My ministerial colleagues and I received 646 letters from and sent 392 letters to hon. Members during February.

  Cautions
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cautions were issued by police forces in Scotland in each of the past five years for which figures are available; and if he will list the categories of offences which are covered by such cautions.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Cautions are not issued by police forces in Scotland.

  Fisheries Protection Agency
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about performance targets for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 1994–95.

  Mr. Lang
  For the financial year 1994–95 I have set the following targets:

  Aerial surveillance—per cent. of hours flown on task

  85%

  Aerial surveillance—cost per aircraft sighting

  £90

  Marine surveillance—number of boardings at sea

  2,600

  Marine surveillance—cost per boarding

  £2,607

  Sea Fisheries Inspectorate—cost per log sheet check

  £63

  50 per cent of cases for prosecution to be reported within 6 weeks of offence being detected and 90 per cent. within 8 weeks
  Number of cases where court proceedings are taken as percentage of offences reported to prosecuting authorities 75%

  In order to ensure that the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency uses its resources efficiently, I have set it a target to achieve cash-releasing efficiency gains of 2.0 per cent. over 1993–94.

  The chief executive will be directly accountable to me for the achievement of these targets, which will be reported in the agency's annual report.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest number of patients waiting for(a) in-patient and (b) day care treatment.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: At 30 September 1993 there were 55,518 on in-patient waiting lists and 26,728 on day case waiting lists.

  National Health Service Trust
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual sum paid to each chairman of an NHS trust; and what are the proposed payments for each chairman of trusts about to come into existence.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: The information requested is as follows:

  NHS Trusts in Operation

  Chairman's Annual Remuneration £

  Caithness and Sutherland

  15,125

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Health Care

  17,145

  Moray Health Services

  17,145

  Raigmore Hospital

  17,145

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  17,145

  Royal Scottish National Hospital and Community

  17,145

  South Ayrshire Hospitals

  17,145

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  17,145

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals

  19,285

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  19,285

  Grampian Healthcare

  19,285

  Monklands and Bellshill

  19,285

  North Ayrshire and Arran

  19,285

  Southern General Hospital

  19,285

  Victoria Infirmary

  19,285

  West Lothian

  19,285

  Yorkhill

  19,285

  NHS Trusts Coming Into Operation on 1 April 1994

  Edinburgh Sick Children's

  15,125

  Angus

  17,145

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals

  17,145

  East and Midlothian

  17,145

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  17,145

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals

  17,145

  Highland Communities

  17,145

  Inverclyde Royal and Rankin Memorial Hospitals

  17,145

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals

  17,145

  Law Hospital

  17,145

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare

  17,145

  Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline

  17,145

  Dundee Healthcare

  19,285

  Edinburgh Healthcare

  19,285

  Fife Healthcare

  19,285

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  19,285

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services

  19,285

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  19,285

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  19,285

  Stobhill

  19,285

  West Glasgow Hospitals University

  19,285

  Western General Hospitals

  19,285

  National Health Service Staff
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff were employed in 1993 in the NYHS(a) in anciallary grades, (b) as nurses and midwives in training and (c) in administrator grades.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: The information requested is detailed in the table.

  Selected NHSIS staff: at 30 September 1993

  Number

  WTE

  (a) Anciallary staff

  20,583

  13,286·4

  (b) Nurses in training

  8,690

  8,681·4

  381

  Number

  WTE

  Student midwife

  301

  301·0

  Health visitor/district nurse

  36

  35·2

  Other post registration/enrollment

  885

  882·5

  Basic student

  3,816

  3,810·7

  Pupil

  35

  35·0

  P2000 students1

  3,617

  3,617·0

  (c) Administrative Grades 3

  6,638

  6,459·8

  General and Senior Management

  1,162

  1151·6

  A & C—Grade 7 and over2

  983

  912·4

  A & C—Grades 4–6

  4,543

  4,395·8

  1 At 31 October 1993.

  2 Includes protected grades.

  3 Administrators per se are not identified in the occupational classification used in the NHS. The numbers of senior managers and higher A & C grades are shown but include many staff who are not administrators, such as computer programmers and systems analysts.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many in-patients have been waiting(a) six months or more and (b) one year or more for operations.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: At 30 September 1993 there were 13,412 patients who had waited more than six months and 4,347 patients who had waited more than one year on waiting lists for in-patient treatment.

  NHS Management (Cars)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much was spent on cars for senior management by each health board in Scotland and in total in each of the past five years for which figures are available;

  (2) how much was spent on cars for senior management by each national health service trust in Scotland, in each year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: This information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Blood
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what quantity of blood donated through the Blood Transfusion Service in Scotland has gone to the private health sector in each of the past five years; and what proportion this forms of total donations;

  (2) to what extent Scotland has been self-sufficient in blood supplies in each of the past five years; and how any surplus has been used or any deficit been met.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 16 March 1994]: The information available is as follows:

  Blood units issued

  Percentage of total issues in Scotland

  1988–89

  3,301

  0·97

  1989–90

  3,347

  0·94

  1990–91

  3,361

  0·90

  1991–92

  3,036

  0·79

  1992–93

  3,250

  0·89

  382
  In each of the past five years Scotland has been self-sufficient in supplies of fresh blood, plasma and fresh blood components, meeting all clinical demand. A small quantity of blood products of types not produced in Scotland is obtained from other suppliers as and when required for special clinical purposes.

  Red cell concentrate is the product most often in surplus and when requested in an emergency on humanitarian grounds any surplus available has been provided to blood transfusion services in other parts of the United Kingdom or to the World Health Organisation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  >Fair Employment
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are(a) qualified to act as a chairman of fair employment tribunals, (b) appointed to the panel of lay members of fair employment tribunals after consultation with organisations representative of employers and (c) appointed to the panel of lay members of fair employment tribunals after consultation with organisations representative of employed persons; how many there are in each category whose perceived religious affiliation is (i) Protestant, (ii) Roman Catholic and (iii) not determined; how many come from outside Northern Ireland; and how many of the latter were born in (1) the rest of the United Kingdom or (2) the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  All chairmen and panel members of the fair employment tribunal have addresses in Northern Ireland. Information relating to the country of birth is not held by the Department of Economic Development. The other information sought is given in the following table:

  Fair employment tribunal members qualified to act as:

  Total number

  Perceived number of:

  Protestants

  Roman Catholics

  (a) Chairman

  3

  1

  2

  (b) Lay panel members representative of employers

  27

  18

  9

  (c) Lay panel members representative of employees

  31

  13

  18

  Malaysian Airlines
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the dates Ministers, or officials from his Department, including his Department's agencies, have used the Malaysian airline MAS for each year since 1985, including this year to date, on official business; and what was the cost of each flight to his Department.

  Sir John Wheeler
  No Minister has used the Malaysian airline MAS since 1985. Whilst some officials of the Industrial Development Board have, on a few occasions, used the airline, further details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nurses and Midwives
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the distribution of average gross weekly earnings per person for each of the
  383
  national health service clinical nursing and midwifery grades, listing the percentages of each grade earning under £140, £150, £160, £170, £180, £190, £200, £210, £220, £230, £240, £250, £275, £300 and those earning £300 and over in each year since 1991.

  Percentage distribution of average gross weekly earnings for clinical nursing and midwifery grades in Northern Ireland

  Percentage

  Gross weekly earnings

  Scale A

  Scale B

  Scale C

  Scale D

  Scale E

  Scale F

  Scale G

  Scale H

  Scale I

  1991–92

  <£140

  11·9

  5·1

  2·3

  10·8

  1·5

  1·8

  0·6

  1·1

  0·0

  <£150

  8·1

  1·7

  0·3

  0·9

  0·1

  0·0

  0·1

  0·5

  0·0

  <£160

  15·5

  12·8

  0·3

  0·6

  0·1

  0·0

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  <£170

  12·7

  20·5

  0·6

  1·6

  0·2

  0·3

  0·8

  0·0

  0·0

  <£180

  18·9

  14·5

  1·5

  1·7

  0·1

  0·0

  1·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£190

  15·9

  11·9

  2·2

  1·8

  0·3

  0·0

  0·2

  1·1

  0·6

  <£200

  6·5

  10·2

  5·0

  2·1

  0·3

  0·3

  0·2

  1·1

  0·6

  <£210

  5·1

  9·4

  9·4

  4·6

  0·6

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  0·6

  <£220

  3·1

  3·4

  11·6

  12·8

  0·5

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£230

  0·7

  3·4

  19·9

  27·1

  0·9

  0·0

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  <£240

  0·6

  1·7

  21·0

  31·0

  1·8

  0·9

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  <£250

  0·2

  2·5

  10·0

  29·9

  2·7

  2·4

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£275

  0·1

  0·8

  11·4

  47·1

  21·1

  2·1

  0·7

  0·0

  0·6

  <£300

  0·0

  0·8

  3·3

  17·3

  40·9

  8·2

  2·2

  0·0

  0·0

  £300+

  0·1

  0·8

  0·6

  9·4

  27·9

  83·5

  92·6

  95·9

  97·2

  1992–93

  <£140

  5·5

  2·2

  1·8

  7·2

  1·4

  1·2

  0·3

  1·4

  0·0

  <£150

  3·1

  0·5

  0·1

  0·5

  0·1

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£160

  8·9

  0·0

  0·3

  0·2

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£170

  15·7

  7·4

  0·3

  0·5

  0·3

  0·6

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£180

  13·2

  6·2

  0·1

  0·4

  0·1

  0·0

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  <£190

  17·2

  17·7

  0·5

  0·8

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£200

  16·2

  6·8

  1·3

  1·5

  0·3

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£210

  8·1

  10·8

  2·7

  2·3

  0·3

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£220

  4·9

  17·1

  5·8

  2·3

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£230

  3·7

  12·5

  9·7

  5·6

  0·3

  0·3

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£240

  1·8

  6·8

  13·2

  16·2

  0·8

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£250

  0·6

  5·1

  21·4

  28·4

  0·8

  0·0

  0·0

  0·4

  0·0

  <£275

  0·4

  5·1

  31·7

  71·5

  6·7

  2·7

  0·8

  0·0

  0·0

  <£300

  0·0

  0·5

  8·5

  36·0

  22·6

  4·6

  0·4

  0·9

  0·0

  £300+

  0·0

  0·5

  1·7

  25·5

  65·0

  90·4

  97·4

  97·1

  100·0

  1993–94

  <£140

  4·7

  0·4

  1·8

  2·9

  1·2

  0·3

  0·4

  0·0

  0·0

  <£150

  2·7

  0·4

  0·0

  0·3

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£160

  5·2

  0·9

  0·0

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£170

  13·3

  3·7

  0·2

  0·3

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£180

  15·4

  7·0

  0·2

  0·2

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£190

  15·5

  14·1

  0·6

  0·5

  0·1

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£200

  18·2

  9·9

  0·8

  0·4

  0·4

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£210

  11·3

  7·5

  2·0

  0·6

  0·4

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  <£220

  5·6

  9·4

  6·6

  1·6

  0·1

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£230

  2·9

  9·9

  5·2

  1·9

  0·5

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£240

  2·0

  8·0

  11·6

  3·2

  0·6

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£250

  1·2

  8·9

  18·1

  11·2

  0·7

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  <£275

  0·9

  14·6

  37·1

  38·8

  5·1

  1·5

  0·4

  0·0

  0·0

  <£300

  0·1

  2·8

  12·1

  21·5

  19·2

  5·8

  0·8

  0·4

  0·0

  £300+

  0·2

  1·8

  3·1

  16·1

  70·4

  91·0

  97·8

  99·5

  100·0

  Note:

  Totals may not add up due to rounding.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the number of NHS nursing and midwifery staff by pay grades within the groups of senior nursing and midwifery staff, educational

  1990

  1991

  Percentage change

  1992

  Percentage change

  1993

  Percentage change

  Senior Nursing Staff

  78

  66

  -15·38

  67

  +0·01

  56

  -16·42

  Educational Staff

  298

  300

  +0·67

  295

  -1·67

  284

  -3·37

  Scale A

  3,084

  3,256

  +5·58

  3,177

  -2·43

  3,250

  +2·30

  Scale B

  318

  463

  +45·60

  609

  +31·53

  769

  +26·27

  384
  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  staff, clinical nursing and midwifery staff, learners, and other staff, and to list the number of Project 2000 nursing students, in each year since 1989 and the percentage change between each year.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:
  385

  1990

  1991

  Percentage change

  1992

  Percentage change

  1993

  Percentage change

  Scale C

  1,354

  1,222

  -9·75

  1,137

  -6·95

  1,032

  -9·23

  Scale D

  4,034

  4,415

  +9·44

  4,536

  +2·74

  5,026

  +10·80

  Scale E

  6,030

  5,898

  -2·19

  5,711

  -3·17

  5,567

  -2·52

  Scale F

  453

  446

  -1·54

  467

  +4·70

  452

  -3·21

  Scale G

  2,295

  2,218

  -3·35

  2,117

  -4·55

  1,989

  -6·05

  Scale H

  184

  224

  +21·74

  243

  -8·48

  240

  -1·23

  Scale I

  185

  166

  -10·27

  156

  -6·02

  137

  -12·18

  Student Nursing

  2,121

  1,362

  -35·78

  631

  -53·67

  39

  -93·82

  Project 2000 Student Nurses

  188

  861

  +358·00

  1,441

  +67·40

  1,715

  +19·00

  Note:Information for 1989 is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  The 2000 nurses schemes started in September 1990.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the average gross weekly earnings and make-up of pay by type of pay or allowance for each of the clinical grades for nursing and midwifery staff in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is provided in the tables.

  Average gross weekly earnings for clinical nursing grades (full-time) in Northern Ireland

  Clinical grade

  Gross pay £

  Basic pay £

  Allowances £

  1991–92

  Scale A

  165·82

  139·85

  25·97

  Scale B

  179·30

  158·45

  20·85

  Scale C

  225·50

  190·61

  34·89

  Scale D

  235·97

  200·78

  35·19

  Scale E

  283·90

  241·49

  42·41

  Scale F

  329·66

  284·24

  45·42

  Scale G

  350·80

  320·42

  30·38

  Scale H

  380·62

  353·46

  27·16

  Scale I

  415·72

  395·24

  20·48

  1992–93

  Scale A

  179·12

  151·01

  28·11

  Scale B

  205·07

  176·55

  28·52

  Scale C

  242·84

  205·49

  37·35

  Scale D

  258·43

  219·45

  38·98

  Scale E

  303·88

  258·20

  45·68

  Scale F

  349·66

  306·84

  42·82

  Scale G

  380·61

  348·46

  32·15

  Scale H

  409·15

  383·41

  25·74

  Scale I

  446·17

  428·20

  17·97

  1993–94

  Scale A

  182·94

  152·75

  30·19

  Scale B

  217·48

  180·20

  37·28

  Scale C

  248·80

  209·53

  39·27

  Scale D

  266·02

  224·26

  41·76

  Scale E

  309·54

  262·30

  47·24

  Scale F

  354·43

  310·24

  44·19

  Scale G

  386·69

  353·09

  33·60

  Scale H

  421·98

  392·17

  29·81

  Scale I

  452·88

  430·28

  22·60

  Dairy Farms
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dairy farms there were in Northern Ireland in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Ancram
  In the Northern Ireland agricultural census, until 1992 a farm was classified as a specialist dairying farm if dairying accounted for over two-thirds of 386
  the farm's total standard gross margin and as a mainly dairying farm if the proportion was between half and two thirds and if dairying was the largest enterprise. The numbers of such farms are given in the table for each year between 1985 and 1992.

  Specialist Dairying

  Mainly Dairying

  All Dairying

  1985

  5,605

  1,770

  7,375

  1986

  5,465

  1,674

  7,139

  1987

  5,334

  1,567

  6,901

  1988

  5,079

  1,609

  6,688

  1989

  4,897

  1,631

  6,528

  1990

  4,733

  1,718

  6,451

  1991

  4,553

  1,805

  6,358

  1992

  4,319

  1,854

  6,173

  A new system of farm typology was introduced in 1993 and under this 5,124 farms were classified as dairy farms. On that new basis the number of dairy farms in 1992 was 5,235.

  Prison Places
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total numbers of prison places in Northern Ireland on(a) 1 June 1979, (b) 1 June 1983, (c) 1 June 1987 and (d) 1 April 1992 and on the latest date for which figures are available.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  Optimum capacity1

  1 June 1979

  1,785

  1 June 1983

  1,881

  1 June 19871

  2,253

  1 April 1992

  2,253

  23 March 1994

  2,253

  1 Optimum capacity is based on single cell occupancy and does not include compound—dormitory style—accommodation in use prior to 1987—mainly for special category prisoners.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total numbers of prisoners in custody in Northern Ireland on(a) 1 June 1979, (b) 1 June 1983, (c) 1 June 1987 and (d) 1 April 1992, and on the latest date for which figures are available.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:
  387

  Total prison population

  1 January 19791

  22,671

  1 January 19831

  22,348

  1 April 19871

  21,939

  1 April 1992

  1,844

  23 March 1994

  1,937

  1 Statistics are not available for the specific dates in question in 1979, 1983 or 1987 but the figures provided reflect the prisoner population on the closest available dates to those requested.

  2 Includes special category prisoners housed in compound (dormitory style) accommodation prior to, and including, 1987.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total numbers of prisoners in custody in Northern Ireland on the first day of each month from May 1992 until the latest month for which figures are available.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  Total prison population

  1 May 1992

  1,860

  1 June 1992

  1,861

  1 July 1992

  1,853

  1 August 1992

  1,807

  1 September 1992

  1,791

  1 October 1992

  1,861

  1 November 1992

  1,868

  1 December 1992

  1,867

  1 January 1993

  1,760

  Highest district rate (pence)

  Lowest district rate (pence)

  Average district rate (pence)

  Average percentage increase in district rate

  1984–85

  64·85

  30·10

  49·36

  4·49

  1985–86

  69·04

  33·00

  52·13

  5·61

  1986–87

  76·36

  38·00

  57·22

  9·76

  1987–88

  80·03

  38·00

  60·07

  4·98

  1988–89

  83·96

  39·90

  62·62

  4·25

  1989–90

  83·96

  37·90

  64·11

  2·38

  1990–91

  88·08

  44·39

  67·63

  5·49

  1991–92

  96·73

  51·00

  74·04

  9·48

  1992–93

  100·22

  55·79

  78·60

  6·16

  1993–94

  103·12

  55·75

  81·37

  3·52

  1994–95

  105·04

  57·42

  83·59

  2·73

  The actual percentage increase in each year in the regional rate is:

  Year

  Non-domestic (pence)

  Percentage rise on last year

  Domestic (pence)

  Percentage rise on last year

  1984–85

  93·34

  7·86

  81·34

  9·12

  1985–86

  100·87

  8·07

  88·87

  9·26

  1986–87

  110·38

  9·43

  98·38

  10·70

  1987–88

  113·53

  2·85

  101·53

  3·20

  1988–89

  122·59

  7·98

  110·59

  8·92

  1989–90

  138·07

  12·63

  126·07

  14·00

  1990–91

  148·27

  7·39

  136·27

  8·09

  1991–92

  165·40

  11·55

  71·40

  -47·60

  1992–93

  153·17

  -7·39

  67·17

  -5·92

  1993–94

  139·98

  -8·61

  65·98

  -1·77

  1994–95

  148·68

  6·22

  74·68

  13·19

  The total percentage increase in the average district rate since 1984–85 is 69·35 per cent.

  The percentage regional rate over the whole period is:—

  (a) Non-domestic regional rate 59 per cent.

  (b) Domestic regional rate -8·2 per cent.

  388

  Total prison population

  1 February 1993

  1,891

  1 March 1993

  1,967

  1 April 1993

  1,991

  1 May 1993

  1,943

  1 June 1993

  1,946

  1 July 1993

  1,948

  1 August 1993

  1,888

  1 September 1993

  1,866

  1 October 1993

  1,901

  1 November 1993

  1,886

  1 December 1993

  1,891

  1 January 1994

  1,786

  1 February 1994

  1,877

  1 March 1994

  1,947

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show for each of the last 10 years and the next year, the average, highest and lowest district rates struck in Northern Ireland and the average percentage increase each year in the regional rate and the total percentage increase in the average district rate and the percentage increase in the regional rate over the whole period or as much of such information as is readily available to him.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The information requested is provided in the tables.

WALES

  Tai Cymru
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for 'Wales what proportion of Tai Cymru's annual budget is spent on central administration.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1992–93 Housing for Wales's running costs equated to 1·01 per cent. of the total budget that it administered.

  House Renovation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will include in grants for the renovation of houses an allowance for value added tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Value added tax can already be covered by a home renovation grant.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the statistical database used by his Department in support of proposals made in his recent consultation paper on access to local authority and housing association tenancies.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office has available to it the range of local authority-provided information which is published annually in "Welsh Housing Statistics". It also has information on housing association activity provided by Housing for Wales's returns and by the Welsh Federation of Housing Associations.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for changes to the cash limits for his Department in the current financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  The cash limit for WO/LACAP will be reduced by £9,491,000 from £409,543,000 to £400,052,000 and the cash limit for WO/HFW will be increased correspondingly by £9,491,000 from £130,017,000 to £139,508,000.

  These changes reflect a transfer of provision from local authorities to Housing for Wales which will enable housing associations to provide additional housing units.

ENVIRONMENT

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the benefit-cost ratio for the proposed extension of the docklands light railway to Lewisham(a) with a toll for the river crossing and (b) without a toll, indicating in each case (i) the total annual cost, including capital cost of construction, rolling stock costs, equivalent annual capital cost and annual operating costs and (ii) the total benefit including time savings, overcrowding relief, total public transport users' benefit and additional rail revenue.

  Mr. Baldry
  Provisional indications are that the project to build the Lewisham extension of the docklands light 390
  railway will be financially viable only with a revenue-maximising cross-river toll and with capital costs constrained to a figure around £100 million. In 1993 the benefit:cost ratio of the project on this basis was estimated to be 3·5:1. The forecast benefits included passenger time savings of £220 million and non-user benefits of £54 million. No similar analysis has been carried out for theoretical, non-financially viable, options.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of each appeal against council tax evaluations(a) in England as a whole and (b) in each standard region.

  Mr. Baldry
  The estimated cost of processing a council tax appeal in the current financial year is £115. This estimate includes costs incurred by the Valuation Office Agency and valuation tribunals at all stages of the appeal process, although the great majority of appeals are settled without the need for a full tribunal hearing. The figure is derived by adding the unit cost for registering and handling cases by the VOA and the average unit cost of dealing with all categories of appeals, including those relating to non-domestic valuations and community charge liability, at valuation tribunals. Estimates of the costs are not made for individual regions.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of the valuation exercise in England including the appeals process, since the introduction of the council tax.

  Mr. Baldry
  The cost of the original valuation exercise was £69·69 million. Voted provision for all work undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency in respect of council tax in 1993–94, including work on appeals, is £34·166 million.

  In addition, the running costs of valuation tribunals amount to £10·2 million in 1993–94. Their jurisdiction includes council tax and community charge liability appeals and non-domestic rating appeals as well as appeals against council tax valuations.

  PSA Building Management
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many companies expressed an interest in the purchase of the PSA's Building Management south-east division when its sale was announced in January.

  Mr. Curry
  A total of 170.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was his Department's estimate as to the sum which would accrue to the Government following the takeover of the PSA's Building Management South-East; and what assumptions underlay this estimate.

  Mr. Curry
  It would not be right for the vendor to make public the assumptions or estimates which led to the sale of Building Management South East, while discussions are continuing with the purchasers of the business with a view to agreeing a completion statement, in accordance with the sale agreement. As is usual in the case of major privatisations, the National Audit Office is conducting a study of the sales of the Building Management businesses the findings of which will be published in due course.
  391
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria, apart from price, were used to evaluate the bids for the purchase of the PSA's Building Management south-east division.

  Mr. Curry
  As the sale documentation made clear, regard would be had to the following factors, in addition to price, in selecting purchasers for the PSA Building Management businesses:

  Purchasers' financial status;

  The credibility of purchasers' long term future plans;

  Purchasers' commitment to developing the BM business or businesses in the private sector;

  Purchasers' intentions regarding staff and the prospects for staff;

  Purchasers' responses to the proposed secondment and pension arrangements;

  Purchasers' commitment to ensuring continuity of service to existing customers; and

  A preference to sell the businesses to different purchasers in order to promote competitive private sector markets.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff transferred from the PSA's Building Management south-east division to AMEC plc and Pell Frischmann Consulting Engineers Ltd. when the sale of BMSE was completed.

  Mr. Curry
  A total of 438.

  Government grants: 1993–94 estimates

  £ thousand

  Revenue grants1

  Capital grants

  Housing subsidies2

  Total

  Lewisham

  214,560

  10,004

  73,923

  298,486

  Bromley

  140,342

  5,244

  0

  145,586

  Wandsworth

  260,200

  6,031

  42,531

  308,762

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  170,834

  3,887

  43,362

  218,083

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  69,797

  2,237

  7,389

  79,423

  1Revenue grants consist of Revenue Support Grant, Specific and Special Grants; redistributed non-domestic rates are excluded.

  2This consists of Housing Revenue account Subsidies and contributions towards running costs of Approved Home Improvement Agencies.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average revenue support grant per capita awarded to local authorities which are(a) Conservative controlled, (b) Liberal Democrat controlled, (c) Labour controlled and (d) under no overall control.

  Mr. Baldry
  Revenue support grant is distributed so that, if all authorities spent at their standard spending assessment, all council tax payers could receive broadly a standard level of service while paying the same level of

  Conservative

  Liberal Democrat

  Labour

  No overall control

  Other

  All

  Inner London boroughs

  573

  1,166

  756

  777

  —

  741

  Outer London boroughs

  387

  257

  552

  425

  —

  436

  Metropolitan districts

  310

  —

  424

  391

  —

  414

  Shire counties

  298

  232

  299

  250

  —

  262

  Shire districts

  28

  34

  51

  36

  38

  38

  Estate Action Bids
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the number and location of all unsuccessful estate action bids, giving the reasons for his Department's decision.
  392
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the value of the assets of the PSA Building Management south-east at the time of its sale to AMEC plc and Pell Frischmann Consulting Engineers Ltd.

  Mr. Curry
  As provided for in the sale agreement, the value of the assets transferred will be subject to a completion statement to be agreed between the vendor and purchaser. The outcome of this process will be announced to the House in due course.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which companies were shortlisted to bid for the purchase of the PSA's Building Management south-east division.

  Mr. Curry
  Four bids were shortlisted for the purchase of PSA Building Management south-east. Details of them are commercially confidential.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total Government spending in the London boroughs of(a) Lewisham, (b) Bromley, (c) Wandsworth, (d) Hammersmith and Fulham and (e) Kingston.

  Mr. Baldry
  The latest available information on central Government financial support for the London boroughs concerned is as follows:

  council tax as any other council tax payer in a given property band. The amount of revenue support grant which any local authority receives will thus depend on the services for which that authority is responsible, and on the social, demographic and physical characteristics of the area.

  In most areas of England provision of local services is split between different classes of local authority. The average revenue support grant figures for 1994–95 in pounds per capita for the main classes of English local authorities are as follows:

  Sir George Young
  Estate Action bids are considered by my Department and discussed with local authorities in the context of their overall housing requirements. Authorities are invited to work up bids that go furthest in meeting current Estate Action guidelines and offer the best value for money. Two hundred and seventy bids were received for schemes planned to start in 1994–95, of which
  393
  115 could be funded within available resources. Information on the regional split of the 155 unsuccessful schemes is as follows:

  Number of 1994–95 unsuccessful Estate Action bids

  DOE region

  Number

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  8

  Merseyside

  26

  North West

  15

  Northern

  9

  South West

  21

  London

  37

  East Midlands

  10

  West Midlands

  16

  South East

  3

  Eastern

  10

  Total

  155

  Information about previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Buildmark Scheme
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints he has received concerning approved inspectors of the National House Building Council's buildmark scheme.

  Mr. Baldry
  Inspectors approved by the Secretary of State to carry out building control work, and who are employed by NHBC Building Control Services Ltd., carry out a separate function to those involved in the NHBC's role as provider of the Buildmark warranty. The operation of the Buildmark warranty is a matter for the NHBC which is an independent body and the Government have no general powers to intervene in its affairs.

  Car Boot Sales
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received from(a) hon. Members, (b) members of the general public and (c) chambers of trade and other trade organisations requesting tighter controls and regulation of car boot sales.

  Mr. Baldry
  Since the start of this parliamentary Session on 18 November 1993, we have received 10 letters from hon. Members requesting tighter planning controls on car boot sales.

  The Department and its regional offices receive numerous representations on a whole range of issues affecting car boot sales, but further information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions he has been asked to use his powers under A1 regulation 6(3) of the Building Regulations 1985 to withdraw his approval from a designated body, on the grounds that it had not operated responsibly in accordance with the Building Regulations 1985.

  Mr. Baldry
  Regulation 4 of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 1985 gives the Secretary of State power to designate a body for the approval of 394
  inspectors. As no such body has been approved, questions of withdrawal of approvals using the powers under regulation 6(3) do not arise.

  District Audits
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the procedure for appeal against the district audit decision.

  Mr. Baldry
  Final decisions by a district auditor on an objection to accounts raised under section 17(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 are subject to appeal. Both the objectors and respondents have the right of appeal to the courts.

  Biodiversity Action Plan
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the employment of additional staff in order to speed up the implementation of the United Kingdom biodiversity action plan.

  Mr. Atkins
  Implementation of the biodiversity action plan will require input from many Government Departments, public agencies and non-government organisations, co-ordinated through the action plan steering group. It is too early to assess the staffing implications.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many members of the public have sought a reference back to the Local Government Commission in(a) Gloucestershire and (b) Somerset.

  Mr. Baldry
  Seven members of the public wrote to my right hon. Friend asking for a further review of Gloucestershire; and, to date, three have written in support of a further review of Somerset.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he received from(a) local authorities including local councils and (b) members of the public, concerning the Local Government Commission's recommendations for the future of local government in Gloucestershire; and how many of those two groups (i) supported the Local Government Commission's recommendations or (ii) supported refer-ence back.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend received 67 representations from principal local authorities and local councils. Eight were opposed to the main recommendation. Three district councils asked for a further review, as did the Gloucestershire branch of the Association of District Councils. A total of 36 representations were received from members of the public. Twenty-one supported the main recommendation, while it was opposed by 15, seven of whom asked for a further review.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make public the letters from local authorities in Gloucestershire asking for a reference back to the Local Government Commission.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have arranged for copies of the relevant letters to be placed in the Library.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for financing the expenditure of English Partnerships.

  Sir George Young
  The expenditure of English Partnerships—the urban regeneration agency—will be financed by grant-in-aid and receipts which include those from the sale of capital assets for reinvestment in its programmes. In 1994–95, capital receipts are expected to amount to £78 million. Any such receipts in excess of £86 million will be surrendered to the Consolidated Fund. This arrangement is set out in the introductory note to the supply estimate for class VII, vote 3—regeneration initiatives, England—from which the grant-in-aid will be paid.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he is making for ministerial decisions relating to Sizewell B power station.

  Mr. Gummer
  Sizewell is in my constituency, and I have accordingly delegated responsibility for all ministerial decisions to my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside.

  Waste Management Licensing
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a scheme of fees and charges for waste management licensing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Following consultation, and with the approval of the Treasury, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Wales and for Scotland have made a charging scheme for waste management licensing under section 41 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  The scheme comes into force on 1 May 1994 and prescribes the fees which are to be paid to waste regulation authorities for applications for waste management licences; the fees for applications for the modification, transfer or surrender of licences; and charges for the subsistence of licences. It also prescribes the amounts which waste regulation authorities are to pay out of those fees and charges to the National Rivers Authority in England and Wales, or to river purification authorities in Scotland, for consultation in relation to licences.

  The fees and charges are set in bands of quantities and types of waste. Following consultation we have made a number of changes to the originally proposed scheme which will be of benefit to small businesses and the recycling industry. These changes include the introduction of additional lower bands set at 5,000 tonnes per annum for the treatment or keeping of waste and for the disposal of inert waste. The 1994–95 subsistence charges for these lower bands have also been set at 70 per cent. of our assessment of full recovery of waste regulation authorities' costs. This is a transitional provision which will ensure that the introduction of fees and charges does not have an immediate and adversely disproportionate impact on small businesses, particularly small businesses engaged in the recycling of waste.
  396
  In accordance with section 41(4) of the 1990 Act copies of the scheme are being laid before both Houses and placed in the libraries of both Houses. The scheme forms part of a document which also provides guidance on its operation.

  Public Interest Immunity Cerftificates
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many public interest immunity certificates he has signed in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 15 March 1994]: Neither I nor my predecessors have produced a public interest immunity certificate in legal proceedings in any year since 1990.

  Global Environmental Facility
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the negotiations over the funding of the global environmental facility held in Geneva from 14 March.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mr. Deva) on 21 March at column 19. I am pleased to add that the replenishment total of US$2,023 million exceeds the US$2 billion target set, and that the ODA played a major role in negotiating the agreement on the restructuring of the global environment facility.

  European Parliament Elections
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds are being made available to electoral registration officers in(a) England and Wales and (b) London, to publicise information to EU citizens from outwith the United Kingdom on voter registration; and in which of the official languages of the European Union versions will be provided.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 15 March at column 588. No additional funds for publicity have been made available to electoral registration officers. The information sheets and application forms provided for citizens of the European Union are in English.

EDUCATION

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) primary and (b) secondary schools have had parental ballots (i) supporting and (ii) rejecting grant-maintained status during each calendar month since May 1992.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  397

  Results of parental ballots on GM status

  Ballot month

  Secondary "Yes" votes

  Secondary "No" votes

  Primary "Yes" votes

  Primary "No" votes

  1992

  May

  8

  0

  1

  2

  June

  11

  0

  4

  0

  July

  37

  5

  9

  5

  August

  6

  1

  3

  0

  September

  6

  1

  9

  0

  October

  58

  16

  15

  4

  November

  45

  13

  11

  2

  December

  43

  17

  14

  4

  1993

  January

  25

  7

  11

  4

  February

  29

  8

  27

  4

  March

  24

  6

  39

  2

  April

  18

  5

  16

  5

  May

  16

  12

  40

  9

  June

  20

  12

  35

  13

  July

  6

  3

  27

  10

  August

  1

  1

  8

  1

  September

  2

  1

  1

  5

  October

  5

  1

  8

  2

  November

  10

  8

  12

  6

  December

  13

  4

  15

  8

  1994

  January

  2

  0

  14

  2

  February

  3

  11

  13

  3

  March1

  6

  4

  6

  5

  1 Up to and including ballots closing on 22 March 1994.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list, for each school so far holding a ballot of parents on grant-maintained status in accordance with section 28 of the Education Act 1993,(a) the date the

  School holding ballots on grant-maintained status under section 28 of 1993 Education Act

  LEA

  School

  Date initiated

  Form of initiation

  Date of dispatch

  Cheshire

  Pott Shrigley CE (VA) primary school

  2 January 1994

  Parents' petition

  1 February 1994

  Bradford

  Myrtle park first school

  5 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  7 February 1994

  Staffordshire

  Christ Church CE middle school

  6 January 1994

  Parents' petition

  7 February 1994

  Lincolnshire

  The Middlefield school

  6 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  9 March 1994

  Berkshire

  Prospect school

  10 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  11 February 1994

  Surrey

  St. Bede's school

  10 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  16 February 1994

  Berkshire

  Blessed Hugh Faringdon RC school

  10 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  28 February 1994

  Northamptonshire

  St. Mary's CE (VA) primary school

  10 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  28 February 1994

  Lincolnshire

  Lincoln school of science and technology

  11 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  2 February 1994

  Cumbria

  Flimby primary school

  11 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  9 February 1994

  Gloucestershire

  Sir William Romney's community school

  11 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 February 1994

  Somerset

  Haygrove school

  11 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 February 1994

  Barnet

  Collindale primary school

  11 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  24 February 1994

  Croydon

  Christ Church CE primary school

  11 January 1994

  Parents' petition

  1 March 1994

  Leicestershire

  Vale of Catmose college

  12 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  7 February 1994

  Rochdale

  Healey county primary school

  12 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 February 1994

  Cumbria

  The Sir John Barrow school

  12 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  15 March 1994

  Surrey

  Whyteleafe school

  13 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  7 February 1994

  Croydon

  St. Chad's RC primary school

  13 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  28 February 1994

  Hampshire

  Petersfield school

  17 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  14 February 1994

  East Sussex

  Claverham community college

  17 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  16 February 1994

  Northamptonshire

  Northampton Trinity school

  18 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  14 February 1994

  East Sussex

  Little common primary school

  18 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  22 February 1994

  Halifax

  Halifax RC high school

  18 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  16 March 1994

  Havering

  Crownfield junior school

  20 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  25 February 1994

  Cumbria

  Hensingham junior school

  20 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  2 March 1994

  Gloucestershire

  Northleach CE primary school

  20 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  23 March 1994

  Lincolnshire

  Wallace Fields middle school

  24 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 February 1994

  Norfolk

  Wicklewood county primary school

  24 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  25 February 1994

  Lincolnshire

  The Central school

  24 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  15 March 1994

  Warwickshire

  Haselor primary school

  25 January 1994

  Parents' petition

  21 February 1994

  Berkshire

  The Turnpike school

  26 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  16 February 1994

  Warwickshire

  All Saints CE first school

  26 January 1994

  Parents' petition

  16 March 1994

  Warwickshire

  Dunnington CE primary school

  28 January 1994

  Parents' petition

  9 March 1994

  Derbyshire

  Becket primary school

  31 January 1994

  Governors' resolution

  2 March 1994

  398
  ballot was initiated, (b) whether this was by governors' resolution of parents' petition and (c) the date on which the ballot papers were dispatched to parents.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is set out below.
  399

  LEA

  School

  Date initiated

  Form of initiation

  Date of dispatch

  Merton

  Ursuline Convent high school

  2 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  28 February 1994

  Cakterdale

  Barkisland CE (VA) primary school

  2 February 1994

  Parents' petition

  7 March 1994

  Derbyshire

  Fairmeadows primary school

  2 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 March 1994

  Warwickshire

  Middlemarch middle school

  3 February 1994

  Parents' petition

  21 March 1994

  Essex

  The Notley high school

  3 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  24 March 1994

  Wiltshire

  Clarendon infants school

  4 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  2 March 1994

  Wiltshire

  Clarendon junior school

  4 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  2 March 1994

  Gloucestershire

  Christ Church primary school

  4 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  4 March 1994

  Berkshire

  Highdown school

  4 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  8 March 1994

  Calderdale

  Todmorden high school

  4 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  9 March 1994

  Nottinghamshire

  Padstow comprehensive school

  7 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  2 March 1994

  Surrey

  Fullbrook school

  7 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  4 March 1994

  Derbyshire

  Woodlands community school

  7 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  7 March 1994

  Bradford

  Ryshworth middle school

  7 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 March 1994

  Rotherham

  Pope Pius RC comprehensive school

  8 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  3 March 1994

  Bradford

  Oakworth first school

  9 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  3 March 1994

  Buckinghamshire

  Bradwell village middle school

  10 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  15 March 1994

  Derbyshire

  St John Houghton RC school

  21 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  15 March 1994

  Northamptonshire

  Thrapston primary school

  21 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  16 March 1994

  Rochdale

  Hollingworth high school

  23 February 1994

  Governors' resolution

  16 March 1994

  Nottinghamshire

  All Saints RC comprehensive school

  2 March 1994

  Governors' resolution

  17 March 1994

  Northamptonshire

  Stanion CE primary school

  3 March 1994

  Governors' resolution

  21 March 1994

  Note: This is derived from information provided by Electoral Reform Ballot Services.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what applications have been received from grant-maintained schools for special purpose grant (restructuring); and, in each case(a) how many posts have been affected, (b) whether the post of (i) head teacher or (ii) deputy head teacher was affected and (c) what grant has been agreed.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Applications for special purpose grant—restructuring—have to date been approved in respect of 923 posts at 414 schools at a total cost of £6,251,179,·42. A more detailed breakdown of the posts is not available.

  Change of age range: To add or extend sixth form

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  Chalvedon School

  Essex

  5 June 1991

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  27 August 1991

  The Comwallis School

  Kent

  15 November 1991

  11–17 to 11–18

  Approved

  5 March 1992

  Higham Park School

  Waltham Forest

  14 January 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Rejected

  11 May 1992

  Baverstock GM School

  Birmingham

  3 February 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  15 June 1992

  Moseley Park GM School

  Wolverhampton

  30 March 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  17 August 1992

  The Maplesden Noakes School

  Kent

  2 April 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  16 July 1992

  West Hatch School

  Essex

  30 April 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  30 July 1992

  Beauchamps GM School

  Essex

  4 June 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  17 August 1992

  Bromfords School

  Essex

  4 June 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  17 August 1992

  Aylesford School

  Kent

  10 July 1992

  11–17 to 11–18

  Rejected

  25 November 1992

  Higham Park School

  Waltham Forest

  31 July 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  2 February 1993

  Wrotham School

  Kent

  6 August 1992

  11–17 to 11–18

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Senacre Technology School

  Kent

  4 September 1992

  11–17 to 11–18

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Thamesview School

  Kent

  16 September 1992

  11–17 to 11–18

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Olborough Manor Community College

  Kent

  18 September 1992

  11–17 to 11–18

  Rejected

  5 March 1993

  Ringwood School (GM Comprehensive)

  Hampshire

  2 October 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  Small Heath School

  Birmingham

  19 October 1992

  11–17 to 11–18

  Approved

  4 May 1993

  The Queen's School

  Cambridgeshire

  23 October 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Rejected

  1 July 1993

  Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone

  Warwickshire

  5 November 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  3 March 1993

  The Arnewood School

  Hampshire

  7 November 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  The Philip Morant School

  Essex

  11 December 1992

  11–16 to 11–18

  Rejected

  28 July 1993

  St. Augustines RC (GM) Comprehensive School

  Wiltshire

  15 January 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  To be republished

  The Burgate School

  Hampshire

  21 January 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved with modification

  16 February 1994

  Sawtry Village College

  Cambridgeshire

  18 February 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  4 June 1993

  Heathside Secondary School

  Surrey

  4 April 1993

  12–16 to 11–18

  Rejected

  24 August 1993

  400
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the school where a new head teacher has been appointed since the school became grant maintained.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is not collated centrally.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the grant-maintained schools which have published proposals to make a significant change in the character of the school giving, in each case,(a) the date of publication, (b) the nature of the proposed change and (d) his decision.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Proposals published under section 89 of the Education Reform Act 1988 for a significant change of character in grant-maintained schools are as follows:
  401

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  Meopham GM School

  Kent

  15 April 1993

  11–17 to 11–18

  Rejected

  10 August 1993

  The Merrill Community School

  Derbyshire

  20 April 1993

  11–16 to 11–19

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  Chellaston School

  Derbyshire

  26 April 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  The Frances Bardsley School

  Havering

  8 June 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  The King John School

  Essex

  26 June 1993

  11–16 to 11–19

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  The Thorpe Bay High School

  Essex

  12 July 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Rejected

  23 February 1994

  William Farr CE School

  Lincolnshire

  31 July 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  2 March 1994

  Sheringham High School

  Norfolk

  30 July 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Approved

  16 February 1994

  The New Wellington High School

  Trafford

  30 July 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Rejected

  8 March 1994

  Cortessey High School

  Norfolk

  16 August 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Noel Baker Community School

  Derbyshire

  4 November 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  deed Girls GM School

  Lincolnshire

  26 November 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Greenwood Dale GM School

  Nottinghamshire

  16 December 1993

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Highcliff School

  Dorset

  15 January 1994

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Riddlesdown GM High School

  Croydon

  28 January 1994

  11–16 to 11–19

  Under consideration

  Castle Hill GM School

  Lincolnshire

  28 January 1994

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Angley School

  Kent

  28 February 1994

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  St. Peter and St. Paul

  Lincolnshire

  22 February 1994

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Bay House School

  Hampshire

  4 March 1994

  11–16 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Thamesview School

  Kent

  11 March 1994

  11–17 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  To add or extend nursery

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  The Manor County First School

  Surrey

  26 November 1992

  4–8 to 3–7

  Rejected

  18 June 1993

  Hawkedale First School

  Surrey

  17 December 1992

  5–8 to 3–7

  Rejected

  18 June 1993

  Wold Newton GM Primary School

  Humberside

  28 January 1993

  5–11 to 3–11

  Under consideration

  Katherines Primary School

  Essex

  29 April 1993

  5–11 to 3–11

  Under consideration

  Alder Coppice GM Primary School

  Dudley

  10 November 1993

  5–11 to 3–11

  Under consideration

  Robinswood Primary School

  Gloucester

  19 November 1993

  4–11 to 3–11

  Under consideration

  Bourne Abbey (GM) Primary School

  Lincolnshire

  9 December 1993

  4–11 to 3–11

  Under consideration

  Send CE GM School

  Surrey

  16 December 1993

  5–7 to 3–7

  Under consideration

  Other change of age range

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  St. John The Baptist

  Surrey

  21 November 1991

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  4 November 1992

  Hardley School (GM)

  Hampshire

  2 January 1992

  12–16 to 11–16

  Approved

  19 October 1992

  Wood End Middle School

  Ealing

  5 February 1992

  8–12 to 7–12

  Approved

  13 July 1992

  Guildford County School

  Surrey

  14 February 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved with modification

  18 June 1992

  Drayton Manor High School

  Ealing

  8 May 1992

  12–19 to 11–19

  Approved with modification

  11 September 1992

  Northolt High School

  Ealing

  8 May 1992

  12–19 to 11–19

  Approved

  11 September 1992

  Greenford High School

  Ealing

  15 May 1992

  12–19 to 11–19

  Approved with modification

  11 September 1992

  Brentside High School

  Ealing

  15 May 1992

  12–19 to 11–19

  Approved with modification

  11 September 1992

  De Stafford School

  Surrey

  23 June 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved with modification

  5 May 1993

  Heathside Secondary School

  Surrey

  16 July 1992

  12–16 to 11–16

  Approved

  2 November 1992

  Oakwood Park Grammar School

  Kent

  17 July 1992

  13–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  5 March 1993

  The City of Portsmouth Boys' School

  Hampshire

  17 July 1992

  12–16 to 11–16

  Approved with modification

  2 March 1993

  Castle Hall GM School

  Kirlees

  2 October 1992

  9–13 to 11–16

  Approved

  1 April 1993

  Ash Green

  Warwickshire

  12 October 1992

  12–16 to 11–16

  Rejected

  22 April 1993

  Glyn School

  Surrey

  15 October 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  Rosebery School

  Surrey

  21 October 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  The Beacon Secondary School

  Surrey

  29 October 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  Send CE First School (GM)

  Surrey

  26 November 1992

  5–8 to 5–7

  Approved with modification

  5 May 1993

  Collingwood GM School

  Surrey

  15 December 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  Epsom and Ewell High School

  Surrey

  17 December 1992

  12–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  18 June 1993

  Avon Valley

  Warwickshire

  18 January 1993

  12–16 to 11–16

  Approved with modification

  25 January 1994

  Wood End First School

  Ealing

  5 February 1993

  3–8 to 3–7

  Approved

  13 July 1993

  Testwood School

  Hampshire

  5 February 1993

  12–16to 11–16

  Approved

  24 February 1994

  Clifford First

  Sheffield

  17 February 1993

  5–8 to 5–11

  Rejected

  23 July 1993

  Front Lawn Middle School

  Hampshire

  26 July 1993

  8–12to7–11

  Approved

  8 October 1993

  Purbrook Park School

  Hampshire

  14 October 1993

  12–16 to 11–16

  Approved

  11 February 1994

  Calmore Middle School

  Hampshire

  15 October 1993

  8–12 to 7–11

  Approved

  24 February 1994

  402

  403

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  Queen Elizabeth GM School

  Warwickshire

  22 October 1993

  12–18 to 11–18

  Under consideration

  Abbotswood Middle School

  Hampshire

  16 November 1993

  8–12 to 7–11

  Approved

  24 February 1994

  Park Mead Hist School (GM)

  Surrey

  19 November 1993

  5–8 to 5–7

  Under consideration

  Yattendon Middle School

  Surrey

  1 December 1993

  8–12 to 7–11

  Under consideration

  Lyndhurst Middle Primary School

  Hampshire

  7 February 1994

  8–12 to 7–11

  Under consideration

  To add whole or partial selection

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  Castle Hall GM School

  Kirklees

  8 November 1991

  100 per cent, selection by ability and change of age range 9–13 to 11–18

  Rejected

  21 May 1992

  Southlands School

  Berkshire

  17 July 1992

  Selective form of entry

  Approved

  12 February 1993

  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

  Cumbria

  5 September 1992

  Selection and change of age range 13–18 to 11–18

  Approved

  31 March 1993

  Budmouth GM School

  Dorset

  23 June 1993

  10 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Cheam High School

  Sutton

  21 October 1993

  50 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Chaucer Technology School

  Kent

  29 November 1993

  100 per cent, selection by aptitude for technology

  Under consideration

  Homewood School

  Kent

  9 December 1993

  20 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Watford Grammar (Girls) School

  Hertfordshire

  17 December 1993

  50 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Watford Grammar (Boys) School

  Hertfordshire

  17 December 1993

  50 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Queen Elizabeth Boys School

  Barnet

  17 December 1993

  100 per cent, selection including 10 per cent, by aptitude for music

  Under consideration

  Parmiter's School

  Hertfordshire

  14 January 1994

  50 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Rickmansworth School

  Hertfordshire

  21 January 1994

  50 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Graveney GM School

  Wandsworth

  25 February 1994

  50 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  Burntwood School

  Wandsworth

  3 March 1994

  30 per cent, selection by ability

  Under consideration

  To add or remove boarding

  School

  LEA

  Proposal date

  Nature of change

  Decision

  Decision date

  Skegness Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  23 November 1989

  Introduction of boarding

  Approved with modification

  31 October 1990

  Caistor Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  10 February 1994

  Removal of boarding

  Under consideration

  City Technology Colleges Trust
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what annual grant is paid to the City Technology Colleges Trust; if he will list all(a) trustees and (b) council members of the City Technology Colleges Trust since its foundation giving the periods of service of each; and what payments have been made to council members of the City Technology Colleges Trust.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The annual grant to be paid by the Department to the City Technology Colleges Trust for the 1994–95 financial year is £664,500. The charitable trustees of the trust, who are its council members, are listed below, together with their periods of service. No remuneration is paid to council members, although reasonable expenses incurred for attendance at council meetings are reimbursed if requested.

  City Technology Colleges Trust Council Members/Trustees

  Council Member

  Length of service (Months)

  Current

  Sir Cyril Taylor

  83

  Sir Robert Balchin

  32

  Valerie Bragg

  5

  Donald Bompas CMG

  41

  Christopher Bostock

  53

  Baroness Brigstocke

  70

  Hugh de Capell Brooke

  56

  404

  Council Member

  Length of service (Months)

  Nicholas Carey

  11

  John Deacon

  32

  Robert Findlay

  55

  Canon Gerald Greenwood

  50

  Sir Ronald Halstead CBE

  83

  Gilbert Jessup

  11

  Stanley Kalms

  82

  Martin Landau

  65

  Sir Geoffrey Leigh

  65

  Jack Mawdsley

  14

  John Nelson-Jones

  83

  Richard Painter

  20

  Michael Prideaux

  41

  George Proctor

  5

  Sir Randolph Quirk CBE

  85

  Colin Shock

  11

  Ronald Somerville

  11

  Professor Sir Brian Thwaites

  82

  Peter Vardy

  62

  Michael Wakeford

  29

  Garfield Weston

  11

  Lord White of Hull

  82

  Christopher Woodhead

  26

  Lord Young of Graffham

  29

  Previous

  Arthur Andrews

  6

  Michael Ashcroft

  42

  John Barnes

  27

  Colin Bell

  22

  Richard Branson

  27

  Anthony Collins

  38

  Gerald Dennis

  30

  405

  Council Member

  Length of service (Months)

  Sir Harry Djanogly

  71

  Terrence Ellis

  18

  Stanley Goodchild

  12

  Joseph Harmatz

  72

  Sir Philip Harris

  39

  Maurice Hatter

  37

  Leslie Jones

  30

  Robert Maas

  72

  Donald Naismmith

  35

  Gordon Owen

  36

  John Sellars

  62

  Julian Smith

  21

  Julian Wathen

  36

  Pupils in maintained grammar schools in England in January of each year: 1964 to 1993

  Year

  Number of pupils in maintained grammar schools (Thousands)

  Percentage of maintained secondary school pupils educated in grammar schools (Percentage)

  Changes between years (Percentage points)

  1964

  667

  25·2

  —

  1970

  569

  19·9

  -5·3

  1974

  400

  11·4

  -8·4

  1979

  163

  4·2

  -7·2

  1983

  117

  3·1

  -1·1

  1987

  100

  3·1

  -0·1

  1992

  109

  3·8

  +0·7

  1993

  112

  13·8

  0·0

  Note: The percentage of maintained secondary school pupils educated in grammar schools remains broadly constant between 1992 and 1993, despite a rise in the number of pupils in maintained grammar schools, because there was an increase of equal proportions, in the number of pupils in all maintained schools over this period.

  Primary and Secondary Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the four secondary schools in the maintained sector for which he has most recently approved significant capital expenditure and which are over 90 per cent. full and which occupy new, extended or modified buildings.

  Mr. Forth
  Whether schools are 90 per cent full or occupy new, extended or modified buildings are not criteria for capital support. Details of capital grants to voluntary aided and special agreement schools and of local education authorities' annual capital guidelines were placed in the Library following the reply of 17 December 1993 from my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford, (Mr. Burns)Official Report, column 946. Copies of press notices of 16 December 1993 and 21 March 1994 announcing capital grants to self-governing, grant-maintained schools were placed in the Library.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 17 March,Official Report, column 848, concerning cost multipliers for new primary and secondary schools if he will state in arithmetic terms the teaching area standards which he regards as the minimum acceptable in respect of each place in (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools already in operation and (c) new schools.

  Mr. Forth
  The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981, as amended, prescribe the minimum overall teaching areas to be provided at maintained schools, according to the number of pupils at the school

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what number and percentage of maintained secondary school pupils are educated in grammar schools in the latest year for which information is available; what were the comparable figures for the years in which general elections were held since 1964; and what were the percentage point changes between these dates.

  Mr. Patten
  The information is as follows:

  and their age range. Schools already in existence when the 1981 standards were introduced have until 1996 to comply with these standards.

  Copies of the 1981 regulations and the previous 1972 regulations are available from the Library.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to be able to make a decision concerning the reorganisation of Bensham Manor and St. Nicholas special schools.

  Mr. Forth
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 18 March to explain that my right hon. Friend is minded to approve the reorganisation of Bensham Manor and St. Nicholas schools proposed by Croydon LEA, subject to the satisfactory resolution of a few remaining issues. My officials wrote to Croydon's director of education on the same day to convey this information. The timing of my right hon. Friend's final decision will depend on the LEA's response to that letter.

  Schools Reorganisation, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, column 128, if he will send the hon. Member for Don Valley a copy of his decision on school reorganisation in the Doncaster area when he announces it.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I have today sent the hon. Member a copy of the official letter to Doncaster local education authority setting out my right hon. Friend's decisions on those parts of Doncaster LEA's phase 3 reorganisation proposals which fall to him for determination. I have also sent the hon. Member a copy of my letter to him dated 14
  407
  March conveying my right hon. Friend's decision to approve that part of the reorganisation proposals which affect schools in his constituency.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time for a claimant to receive invalidity benefit before being referred to the Benefits Agency medical service.

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

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 479, if he will disclose such information as is readily available on the payment of housing benefit by local authority.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Medical Examinations
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many referrals for a medical examination have been made where the claimant has successfully appealed against a decision that they are capable of work within(a) one month, (b) three months and (c) six months, of the appeal being heard, for each quarter of 1992 and 1993.

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

  Unemployment Benefit
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide the most recent statistics covering a full year of the number of disqualifications from unemployment benefit for voluntary unemployment under each of the various heads of section 28(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the "Unemployment Benefit Statistics—Quarterly Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions", copies of which are in the Library.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of whether he is satisfied that the Child Support Agency is acting in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1984 in revealing details of an individual's income.

  Mr. Scott
  The agency has devised its procedures to comply with the Data Protection Act, and is in regular discussion with the data protection registrar to ensure that it continues to meet its requirements.

  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications have been made to the Child Support Agency; and how many of those applications have actually been completed.
  408
  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to the monthly report on the agency's performance in the Library.

  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what ethnic monitoring there is of the applications and assessments by the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Scott
  The chief executive of the Child Support Agency, Ros Hepplewhite, informs me that the agency does not carry out such monitoring.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many assessments for payment of maintenance by the Child Support Agency have been made where the absent parent is in receipt of benefits in(a) the London borough of Newham and (b) Great Britain.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 24 March 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of assessments made by the Child Support Agency where the absent parent is receiving benefit.
  You asked for figures for both the London Borough of Newham and Great Britain. Information is not available specifically for the London Borough of Newham, but national figures show that during the period from 5 April 1993 to 31 January 1994 the Agency assessed maintenance in 32,700 cases where the absent parent was on Income Support.
  Figures are not available for other benefits.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases dealt with by the Child Support Agency the parent with care has not named the absent parent due to harm and undue distress; and in how many cases it has been accepted by the Child Support Agency.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 23 March 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of cases in which good cause has been an issue and the number of cases in which it has been accepted.
  From 5 April 1993 to 31 January 1994, 44,600 parents with care were considered in relation to the requirement to cooperate. Of the cases so far completed, good cause was accepted in nearly 25,000; the absent parent was named in 8,900; and 330 were referred to the Beneifts Agency to consider implementation of a Reduced Benefit Direction.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if there is provision in the operation of the Child Support Agency for the parent with care to withdraw his or her authorisation to pursue the absent parent when such authorisation has resulted in violence towards the parent with care.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
  409
  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 24 March 1994:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the provision for the parent with care to withdraw authorisation to pursue the absent parent.
  After the parent with care has authorised the Secretary of State to recover maintenance, the requirement to cooperate in arranging maintenance may be withdrawn if it is considered that there would be a risk of harm or undue distress to the parent or any child living with her or him.
  If a parent with care approaches the Child Support Agency about this, an officer acting for the Secretary of State will discuss the matter with her or him and will consider the basis for their concern. I should stress that the parent will be believed unless what is said is contradictory or improbable.
  If the requirement to cooperate is subsequently withdrawn, the parent with care will be given the opportunity to request the Secretary of State to cease pursuing the absent parent for maintenance. The Agency will then cease all action on the case.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what procedure the Child Support Agency has in place to deal with complaints arising from the operation of the agency; and how this is publicised;

  (2) how many complaints on the operation of the Child Support Agency have been (a) received and (b) dealt with.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 24 March 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of complaints received and cleared by the Child Support Agency and the Agency's complaints procedures.
  The Agency has received a total of 15,479 written enquiries and complaints to the end of February 1994, of which 11,945 have been cleared. The Agency's clients are sent information about the complaints procedure as part of the maintenance application and enquiry packs.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases pursued by the Child Support Agency have not been successful in resulting in the payment of maintenance to the parent with care due to(a) failure to locate absent parent, (b) failure to obtain details of absent parent, (c) failure to enforce payment or (d) other reasons.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 24 March 1994:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking about the effectiveness of the Child Support Agency in obtaining the payment of maintenance to the parent with care.
  As at 31 January 1994 the Agency had successfully traced the absent parent in 19,000 cases where their whereabouts were not previously known. There were only 2,800 cases where the
  410
  Agency was unable to trace the absent parent, and these cases may be re-opened if new information becomes available. Overall, the Agency has contacted 381,300 absent parents.
  During the same period there were 37,400 cases where it was either accepted that the parent with care had "good cause" not to identify the absent parent, or where they declined to do so, and "good cause" was not accepted.
  You also asked about enforcement. Activity in this area is at a relatively early stage, and the process can prove time consuming. However, so far out of 2,700 cases in which enforcement action had commenced, payment had been re-established in 280 cases.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Permanent Health Insurance Policies
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated cost to his Department of extra-statutory concessions on benefits paid under permanent health insurance policies during 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have been asked to reply.

  Precise figures are not available centrally, but the estimated cost of the concession which exempted benefits from tax for the remainder of the tax year in which they commenced and the subsequent tax year was £10 million in 1991–92 and £15 million in 1992–93. The revenue cost of this concession will be lower in future years as a result of the changes in its operation which were announced on 30 November 1993.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report the correspondence between the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Henley, and the President of the war pensions appeal tribunal on the proposed changes in legislation for noise-induced hearing loss entitlement which were announced by the Government in 1992.

  Mr. Hague
  Lord Henley consulted the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions on the proposals to amend the war pensions legislation on noise-induced hearing loss. He did not consult the then president of the war pensions appeal tribunal on the proposed changes.

HEALTH

  Health Service Administration
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the administration of each regional health authority cost in the last four years and in 1978, adjusted to 1993 prices.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information available is shown in the table. The figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are not directly comparable with the figures for 1991–92 and 1992–93 because of the introduction of capital charges and other changes to accounting procedures. Simple comparisons between authorities are misleading because regional health authorities devolved their non-core functions at varying times and bore different costs on their regional budgets. Administration expenditure figures are not held for individual health authorities in 1978.
  411

  Administration costs for Regional Health Authorities 1989–90–1992–93 at 1993 prices

  Region

  1989–90 £000s

  1990–91 £000s

  1991–92 £000s

  1992–93 £000s

  Northern

  8,919

  10,300

  19,433

  21,517

  Yorkshire

  12,774

  14,528

  67,010

  44,751

  Trent

  13,718

  13.026

  18,867

  21,227

  East Anglian

  9,712

  12,614

  8,310

  9,595

  North West Thames

  10,880

  13,371

  20,334

  32,126

  North East Thames

  15,588

  16,931

  33,096

  21,720

  South East Thames

  17,949

  18,235

  17,153

  19,142

  South West Thames

  16,370

  16,820

  13,638

  16,625

  Wessex

  7,450

  9,472

  20,741

  23,493

  Oxford

  5,612

  6,918

  27,768

  29,210

  South Western

  9,545

  11,655

  16,143

  16,773

  West Midlands

  21,499

  30,201

  23,196

  26,306

  Mersey

  7,211

  6,996

  24,881

  28,409

  North Western

  14,742

  15,054

  13,450

  16,454

  Source Annual accounts of regional health authorities.

  Notes:

  1. The table shows expenditure adjusted to 1992–93 prices by use of the Gross Domestic Product deflator.

  2. The figures represent expenditure on pay and accommodation costs of the staff at Regional Health Authority headquarters and exclude costs of emergency bed service, planning and setting up NHS Trusts, grants not related to purchase of health care, education and training, expenditure on Community Health Councils. They do not include the costs of purchasing healthcare.

  3. The figures for the years vary between RHAs as regions were managed in an integrated way and the balance of management between RHAs and their respective district health authorities (DHAs) differed between regions. The figures were also affected by other factors including differences in the geographical size of regions and in the extent to which RHAs directly managed operational services. Following implementation of the NHS Reforms from April 1991, the role of RHAs changed. There were significant variations in the extent to which RHAs retained or devolved management, support and operational services functions and in the extent to which their costs are borne or recharged to users directly involved in the purchaser function.

  4. The figures for 1992–93 are provisional.

  Complaints Review
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her review of national health service complaints procedures includes a right for patients to lodge complaints against employees of general practitioners.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the publication of the review of national health service procedures.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The committee set up to review national health service complaints procedures has now made its report with a number of recommendations and we are considering our response to these.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the review of national health service complaints took from the social service inspectorate.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Severance Payments
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 438, on irregular severance payments, what action she has taken to recover the irregular payment of £78,000.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Any ultra vires payment by a health authority is recoverable in principle, and it is obligatory for the authority in question to consider the feasibility of recovery and to take prompt action as appropriate. The Department of Health and Her Majesty's Treasury will be looking to ensure that this happens in the instance referred to.

  DNase
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the hospitals which took part or are taking part in trials of the drug DNase; on whose behalf these 412
  trials were conducted; when the results of the trial will be published; and if she will be issuing guidance to health boards on the use of the drug if the trials are successful.

  Mr. Sackville
  Medicinal products for use in clinical trials are regulated under the Medicines Act 1968 and subsidiary legislation. The Medicines Control Agency acting on behalf of the licensing authority keeps confidential records of all applications to conduct clinical trials. Information from these records cannot be disclosed in accordance with section 118 of the Medicines Act. The question of guidance to health boards is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. In England, it is for a local district health authority to decide priorities in the light of competing demands on finite resources. The Department of Health encourages the national health service to study the results of research into drugs.

  Accident and Emergency Units
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current ratio of accident and emergency units to district general hospitals in London; and what the ratio was(a) two, (b) five and (c) 10 years ago.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Sir M. Neubert) on 22 February at columns 210–11.

  General Practitioner Prescribing
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to commission a medical audit of the quality of treatment being received by patients of general practitioner practices whose annual prescribing costs are 20 per cent. below the average for practices in their family health service authority areas.
  413
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Family health services authorities are responsible for working with general practitioner practices to make sure that their prescribing is both cost-effective and meets all the clinical needs of their patients.

  Pre-school Child Care
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nursery places and (b) child minding places there were in England and Wales, (i) in total and (ii) in the private sector for 1987 and the last year that figures were available.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on day nursery and child minder places in England for 1987 and the latest available year is contained in the publication "Children's day care facilities at 31 March 1992, England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information about nursery schools is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education.

  The number of nursery and child minding places in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Sheffield Community Health Trust
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by Sheffield health authority in consultative fees for research, design or establishment costs for the logo to be adopted by the proposed Sheffield Community Health Trust operational from 1 April.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a matter for Sheffield health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Mr. J. Neill, for details.

  Pain Clinics
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pain clinics are available in the Doncaster area; on what sites; and how many people were treated at each in 1992, 1993, and 1994 to date.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the Doncaster health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Mr. J. G. Smith, for details.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of patients being deregistered for NHS dentistry treatment in each of the health authority areas within the south-west region, and what is the proportion per head of population in each of those areas, for the latest available period.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information for the latest available period is shown in the table. At 31 January 1994, there were 2,178,566 patients registered in South Western region. Based on June 1992 estimates, this represents 62·2 per cent. of the population of the region. In England since July 1992 there has been a net increase of over 600,000 patients registered and a net increase of 264 dentists in contract with family health services authorities.
  414

  Number of patients and percentage of population deregistered, week ending 18 March 1994, by FHSA

  FHSA

  Number of patients deregistered during weekending 18 March 1994

  Percentage of population deregistered

  Avon

  36

  0·004

  Cornwall and Isles of Stilly

  22

  0·005

  Devon

  79

  0·008

  Gloucestershire

  206

  0·038

  Somerset

  129

  0·027

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much additional revenue would be raised in a full year by increasing the contributions to NHS dental treatment fees for patients not exempt from charges to 100 per cent.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We estimate that an increase in contributions for patients liable to pay dental charges to 100 per cent. of the national health service dental fee would raise £90 million-£100 million additional revenue in a full year. This estimate is made on the assumption that there is no change in the demand for or supply of dental treatment under the general dental services. It also takes into account the maximum patient charge from 1 April 1994 of £275 for a course of NHS dental treatment.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists in England are offering private dental insurance schemes to their patients.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a matter for individual dentists who are independent contractors, who themselves decide whether, and to what extent, to provide private treatment.

  Press Conference Suite
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the planned uses for the new Department of Health press conference suite; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The new conference room in Richmond house will be used for conferences, meetings, training seminars and workshops by the Departments of Health and Social Security. The room has also been equipped for press conferences and interviews.

  The conference facility is also being made available for other Government Departments.

  NHS Trusts
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what freedom NHS trusts have to vary the terms and conditions for service for hospital medical and dental staff in relation to the freedom of practitioners to publish articles or to speak on any issue without the prior consent of their employer.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Trusts have freedom to recruit staff on new terms and conditions and can negotiate new terms with existing staff.

  NHS Employees
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the number of employees aged over 70 years who are currently allowed to continue to work within the national health service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information available centrally suggests that there were about 200 direct care staff aged over 70 years as at 30 September 1992.

  Complaints
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is her policy to apply different standards in relation to complaints by social service clients and NHS patients.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are separate procedures for complaints by social service clients and national health service patients.

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the budget, (b) the outturn and (c) the amount retained by general practitioner fundholders in each family health service authority area for each of the last four years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about general practitioner fundholder budgets is available centrally only at regional health authority level.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) administrative staff, (b) practice nurses, (c) other nurses, (d) social workers or counsellors and (e) other staff are directly employed by general practitioners' fundholding practices.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information collected centrally covers all general practitioner-employed staff. It does not distinguish between fundholding and other GP practices.

  Call-out Fees
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis general practitioners may charge a call-out fee to(a) an individual patient, (b) a voluntary organisation providing a community care service, (c) a family health service authority and (d) a district health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Under their terms of service general practitioners receive a fee from their family health services authority for making a visit to a patient between 10 pm and 8 am. GPs may not charge any call-out fee to patients.

  Family Health Services Authorities
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much was paid over to family health services authorities by district health authorities in each of the last five years;

  (2) what was the total amount of money paid over by family health services authorities to (a) district health authorities and (b) local authorities for services provided and joint projects for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  The annual accounts and financial returns of family health services authorities and district 416
  health authorities do not analyse income and expenditure in a way which would permit the identification of all such payments to DHAs or local authorities by FHSAs or to FHSAs by DHAs.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the responsibility for a family health services authority to ensure that adequate general practitioner cover is available to respite centres for carers and day centres for elderly or disabled people.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A family health services authority may require a general practitioner included in its medical list to provide treatment at any place in his practice area, provided that there is no other doctor who, at the time of the request, is under an obligation to give treatment to that person.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish in the Official Report details of the administrative costs of administering the family health service authorities for England for each year since 1989–90; and what has been the percentage change since then for the latest possible year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 16 March 1994]: The revenue expenditure on family health services authorities —in 1989–90, family practitioner committees—in England on administration was £67 million in 1989–90, £104 million in 1990–91, £136 million in 1991–92 and £162 million in 1992–93. The percentage change from 1989–90 to 1992–93 was 142 per cent. FHSAs manage the introduction of general practitioner fundholding, the monitoring of prescribing and the development of clinical audit in primary care—all initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of patient care and value for money the national health service receives from its investment in primary care services. In 1992–93, FHSA administrative expenditure represented only 2·5 per cent. of the £6·5 billion of taxpayers' money spent on the family health service.

  Community Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 February,Official Report, column 356, what steps a member of community care staff with concerns about fraud or client abuse by their employer can take.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is the responsibility of social care staff to raise such issues with their line managers and with any other authority as appropriate.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department takes to ensure that voluntary organisations and private providers of community care services have suitable complaints procedures in place.

  Mr. Bowis
  Voluntary and private providers of community care services are responsible for their own complaints procedures. If the service is being provided under a contract from the local authority, the local authority's own complaints procedures are available.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to bring forward legislation to replace regional health authorities.
  417
  Dr. Mawhinney
  As soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the names of the regional health authorities after 1 April.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The following is the information:

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Anglia and Oxford

  South Thames

  North West

  Trent

  North Thames

  West Midlands

  South and West

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she intends to transfer the freehold of St. Bartholomew's hospital at Smithfield to the new Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew, the Royal London hospital and the London Chest hospital national health service trust.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a matter which is currently being discussed by the trust project team and the North Thames Outpost.

  Midwifery Supervision
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on which is the appropriate body or person to make local decisions on midwifery supervision; what guidance or circulars have been issued in relation to this question; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The policy for local supervision of midwifery practice is set out in the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979. In section 16(1)(a) it is specified that in England the local supervising authorities shall be the regional health authorities.

  Guidance on supervision of midwives has been issued by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting to the regional health authorities, and by them to the supervisors of midwives in their areas of supervision.

  Hospital Staff
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when paragraph 330 of the terms and conditions for service for hospital medical and dental staff was last revised; and what was the effect of that revision.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1981, when a reference to "an administrative medical officer of a regional hospital board" was deleted as no longer relevant.

  Water Births
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take further steps to draw the attention of all NHS providers of maternity services, in relation to water births, to the recommendations of her expert maternity group that where there are no proven risks in any procedure, priority should be given to the expressed wishes of the mother-to-be.

  Mr. Sackville
  Circular EL(94)9 already sets out action required by national health service purchasers and 418
  providers to implement the recommendations of the expert maternity group within the next five years. Copies of this circular are available in the Library.

  Adoption Registration Data
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she plans to take to increase the confidentiality of adoption registration data and to guarantee a standard, controlled procedure through which birth relatives may seek to re-establish contact with adopted adults; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The means already exist for adopted adults and their birth parents or relatives to make contact by using the Adoption Contact Register, established in May 1991 and operated by the registrar general. I am studying the judgment of the Court of Appeal of 21 March concerning disclosure of information from the index to the Adopted Children's Register and will consider with the registrar general how best to reconcile access to the register with the need to protect confidentiality.

  Mersey Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 890, if she will indicate the number of full days per week, month and year which Sir Donald Wilson is expected to commit to his responsibilities as chairman of the Mersey regional health authority; where information about Sir Donald's attendance record is held; if she will request copies of that attendance record, and those of all chairmen of regional health authorities; and if she will make it her policy in future to hold centrally such information.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Donald Wilson was recently appointed as chairman of North West regional health authority and non-executive regional policy board member for that region. We have every confidence that he will fulfil these responsibilities with distinction and we have no intention of requiring him, or other non-executive members of the policy board, to report their daily involvement upon national health service business.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental patients have been de-registered in each family health services authority since July 1992.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [pursuant to his reply, 17 March, c. 836–38]: I regret that there was an omission in the second sentence of my previous reply. It should read "Since July 1992 there has been a net increase of over 600,000 patients registered and an increase of 264 dentists in contract with family health services authorities".

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Offices
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many proposals there are in each English region, Wales and Northern Ireland for conversion of Crown to agency status post offices; and if he will list the affected offices in each case.
  419
  Mr. McLoughlin
  I understand from the Post Office that consultation on a proposal to convert the following Crown post offices had(a) been completed but the conversion had not taken place by 21 March 1994 or (b) is currently in progress. The information is provided on the basis of Post Office Counters regions, except in the case of data for Wales and Northern Ireland which has been produced separately.

  North Thames and Anglia Region

  (a) Completed

  Woodbridge

  Borehamwood

  Cannon St. London

  Chief Office London

  Ware

  Hatfield

  Maids Vale

  Rayleigh

  Bush Fair Harlow

  Staple Tye Harlow

  Leytonstone

  Epping

  Beaconsfield

  Bicester

  Prestwick Road Watford

  West Ealing

  Maida Hill

  Cricklewood

  (b) In Progress

  Forest Gate

  Wolverton

  Sheringham

  Brandon

  Turners Hill Cheshunt

  Bruce Grover Tottenham

  Wanstead

  Midlands Region

  (a) Completed

  Corporation Street Coventry

  Warstone Lane Birmingham

  (b) In Progress

  Nantwich

  North West Region

  (a) Completed

  Buxton>

  Barnes Green Manchester

  Farnworth

  Tarporley

  Birkenhead

  Nelson

  Morecambe

  Darwen

  High Town Manchester

  Radcliffe

  (b) In Progress

  Stockport Road Manchester

  Cheadle (Cheshire)

  Bury

  North East Region

  (a) Completed

  Peterlee

  Heaton Newcastle upon Tyne

  Shipley

  Worksop

  Otley

  Hexham

  (b) In Progress

  Hessle

  Cleethorpes

  South East Region

  (a) Completed

  Bexleyheath

  Godalming

  Hythe

  Blackheath

  420

  Gloucester Road London

  Battle

  Heathfield

  South Kensington

  Sunbury

  Leatherhead

  Havant

  Hassocks

  (b) In Progress

  None

  South West Region

  (a) Completed

  Portishead

  Victoria Road Swindon

  Bude

  Ilfracombe

  Marlborough

  Seaton

  Street

  Tewkesbury

  (b) In Progress

  None

  Northern Ireland

  (a) Completed

  Strabane

  (b) In Progress

  None

  Wales

  (a) Completed

  Machynlleth

  Dolgellau

  Penbroke Dock

  Tredegar

  Brecon

  Colwyn Bay

  (b) In Progress

  None

  Mail Interception
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Security Service has been consulted during the Post Office review about mail interception procedures;

  (2) what consideration is being given in his review of the future of the Post Office to changes to mail interception procedures;

  (3) what consultations he has had in the course of his review of the future of the Post Office about mail interception procedures.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government would not make any proposals which did not deal satisfactorily with all relevant issues.

  Heavy Commercial Vehicles
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of commercial vehicles on British roads weighing more than 7·5 tonnes; what was the proportion of imported vehicles in each year; and what factors underlie the trend in this proportion.

  Mr. Needham
  The number of vehicles over 7·5 tonnes licensed in the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1992 were 305,000 and 266,000 respectively. Data for the earlier years are not available. Figures for the proportion of imported vehicles in the total stock are not available. Data showing the volume of United Kingdom imports of vehicles over 7·5 tonnes are published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in "Motor Industry of Great Britain, World Automotive Statistics". This publication is in the Library of the House.

  Mechanical Engineering Products
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in the volume of orders on hand for United Kingdom mechanical engineering products for supply to the United Kingdom market since 1989; what the corresponding figures are for Germany, France and Italy; whether he will publish a table showing the value and volume of output, imports, exports and consumption of mechanical engineering products in the United Kingdom and each of these countries in 1970, 1.979, 1989 and 1992 together with the numbers employed; and when he expects United Kingdom orders for supply to the United Kingdom market to regain the 1989 level.

  Mr. Needham
  The United Kingdom information on the volume of orders on hand is regularly published in "Engineering Sales and Orders," published by CSO, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Corresponding figures for Germany, France and Italy are not readily available.

  Some comparable information on the value of output and employment for 1979 and 1989 is available on the Eurostat Cronos database, which can be assessed via the Library of the House. Corresponding information for [970 and 1992 is not readily available. The information requested on trade and the volume of output is not readily available. Information on consumption of mechanical engineering products is not collected. The Department does not make industrial forecasts.

  Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the reasons for the difference between the rate of change in the level of United Kingdom exports according to table 6.5 of "Eurostat Basic Statistics of the Community, 1993" in(a) 1978 to 1989 and (b) 1975 to 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department has not undertaken such an assessment.

  Overseas Trade
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of apparel in SITC 84 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (2) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of electrical machinery not elsewhere specified in SITC 77 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (3) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of iron and steel and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (4) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of manufacturers of metal in SITC 69
  422
  and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (5) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of telecommunications equipment and sound recording apparatus and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (6) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of specialised machinery in SITC 72 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the prinicpal United Kingdom user industries;

  (7) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of power generating machinery and equipment and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (8) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of textiles, and so on, in SITC 65 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

  Mr. Needham
  The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1–09 and 1–12, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with Austria during 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MM20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK with Countries outside the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from Austria is not collected.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of manufactures of metal in SITC 69 and that of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (2) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of iron and steel in SITC 67 and that of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom; what were the corresponding figures based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (3) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom of textiles in SITC 65 in 1992 and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade

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  returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (4) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of photographic apparatus, optical goods and clocks and watches and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (5) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of miscellaneous manufactured products in SITC89 and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (6) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of other transport equipment in SITC79 and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

  Mr. Needham
  Detailed information on trade statistics for Belgium and Luxembourg is classified together. The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1–09 and 1–04, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with Belgium-Luxembourg during the first three quarters of 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MQ20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom with Countries within the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Owing to the introduction of Intrastat, data across the two years may not be comparable at the detailed product level. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from Belgium-Luxembourg is not collected.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom manufactures of metal SITC 69 in 1992, and of French imports from the United Kingdom; what were the corresponding figures based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992, and in 1993, to date; and what were the principal products in each case together with the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (2) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom of vehicles in 1992, and French imports from the United Kingdom, the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date and the principal products in each case;

  (3) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of electrical machinery in SITC 77 and of French imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (4) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom of power generating machinery and equipment in 1992 and that of French imports from the United Kingdom,
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  the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date, the principal products in each case and the principal United Kingdom user industries.

  Mr. Needham
  The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1–01 and 1–09, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with France during the first three quarters of 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MQ20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom with Countries within the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Owing to the introduction of Intrastat, data across the two years may not be comparable at the detailed product level. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from France is not collected.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of iron and steel and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (2) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of road vehicles and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

  (3) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of office machines and automatic data processing equipment in SITC75 and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries;

  (4) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of telecommunications and sound recording apparatus in SITC76 and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date; what were the principal products in each case; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

  Mr. Needham
  The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1–09 and 1–11, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with Finland during 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MM20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK with Countries outside the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from Finland is not collected.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom current-weighted
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  share of the volume of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries between 1973 and 1990; and if he will make a statement on the changes.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in the last five years he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost; and on what subjects.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Tuesday 15 March 1994,Official Report, column 645.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish for 1970, 1973, 1979, 1985 and each year from 1989 exports by each of the main manufacturing countries of textiles, mechanical engineering products, and road motor vehicles on a comparable basis to that used in compiling the tables in the article published in the 18 November 1966 issue of the Board of Trade journal, entitled "United Kingdom and World Exports of Manufactures in the Past Decade."

  Mr. Needham
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the changes since 1973 in(a) the United Kingdom share of the volume of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries, (b) the United Kingdom share of manufacturing output by these countries, (c) the volume of imports of manufactures from the rest of the EC as a ratio against United Kingdom output, (d) the rest of the EEC import penetration of the United Kingdom market for motor cars, (e) United Kingdom manufacturing output and w manufacturing employment.

  Mr. Needham
  The information on the United Kingdom share of the volume of exports by the main manufacturing countries to 1991 can be readily derived from table E1 of "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" annual supplement 1992, published by CSO, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. More timely information is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  The information on the United Kingdom share of manufacturing output by the main manufacturing countries can be readily derived from the information contained in the OECD "Main Economic Indicators" database which can be accessed from the Library of the House, and from the OECD publications "National Accounts Vol. II" and "Main Economic Indicators", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  The information on the United Kingdom volume of imports of manufactures as a ratio against United Kingdom output post-1987 can be readily derived from data available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed via the Library of the House. Comparable pre-1988 information is not readily available and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

  The information on European Union import penetration of United Kingdom motor car market can be readily derived from "Motor Industry of Great Britain—World
  426
  Automotive Statistics", published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  The information on United Kingdom manufacturing output and employment can be readily derived from data available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed via the Library of the House.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what awards, or other forms of recognition, are made by his Department to individuals and companies from manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Department of Trade and Industry does not give any specific awards to individuals and companies from manufacturing industry.

  It does, however, run the annual competition, SMART, for small and medium-sized enterprises of fewer than 50 employees and provides 180 awards of up to £45,000 each in the form of grants to help develop new products and processes. A second phase of the competition is also open to SMART winners and offers each of them up to a further £60,000 of grant support.

  In addition, the Department co-sponsors many awards managed by private sector organisations; most are also open to the service sector. Examples of these awards are the export award for smaller businesses, the United Kingdom quality award and the best factory award.

  The Department is also responsible for the work of the Queen's Awards Office, though recommendations to the Palace are made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Japanese Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the difference between the price index for Japan on page 31 of the January edition of OECD "Series A Monthly Statistics of Foreign Trade" and the index of average values on page 23; and if he will make a statement as to the effect of each on calculations of the competitiveness of Japanese exports to Britain.

  Mr. Needham
  Definitional differences between the two indices are a matter for the OECD. The effect of each index will depend on the exact nature of the calculations performed.

  Auditing Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which sections of the Companies Act 1989 relate to the prevention of lobbying on behalf of the auditing industry by recognised supervisory bodies.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None. The recognised supervisory bodies are free to bring to my attention any matters which they consider relevant to the conduct of audit.

  Jammu and Kashmir
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to date with the Indian authorities in respect of Madam Speaker's statement of 21 February,Official Report, column 21, regarding the document from Jammu and Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
  427
  Mr. Needham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 16 March 1994,Official Report, column 701.

  Exports (Macedonia)
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to assist United Kingdom exporters whose consignments have been blocked by the Greek authorities en route to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

  Mr. Needham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made our concerns known to the Greek Government. We and other European partners are working to encourage the Greeks to lift the block on goods being transported to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia via the port of Salonika. We regard the blockade as illegal. Our embassy in Athens successfully assisted a British company soon after the imposition of the blockade. Since then no British companies have made representations to the Department or to the embassy.

  Nuclear Facilities (Accident Insurance)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the proposed increase in publicly funded accident insurance coverage for nuclear facilities set out in the draft statutory instrument on the Atomic Energy and Radioactive Substances Nuclear Installations (Increase of Operators' Limits of Liability) Order 1994.

  Mr. Eggar
  The order increases the liability limit of nuclear operators under the Nuclear Installations Act for third party nuclear damage from £20 million to £140 million. In the case of licensees of prescribed sites, the limit will increase from £5 million to £10 million.

  As set out in the explanatory memorandum to the order, the increase is in line with the recommendation made in 1990 by the steering committee for nuclear energy of the OECD for countries which are parties to the Paris convention. A copy of the memorandum will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Subsidence
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for preventing fraud in the handling of money paid by the Coal Authority to contractors in respect of subsidence; and what response he has made to the recent letter from Mr. Neil Clarke to his Department on this matter.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 March 1994]: The Coal Authority will want to ensure proper procedures and safeguards to minimise the risk of fraud for all their functions, whether carried out by their own staff or contractors. They will doubtless wish to take account of considerations referred to by Mr. Clarke.

  Scotch Whisky
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will include in the agenda for the forthcoming EU/Bulgaria associations agreement meeting the tariff levels and excise tax rates facing Scotch whisky and other imported spirits in Bulgaria.
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  Mr. Needham
  Following representations from my Department to the European Commission, this matter has been placed on the agenda for the agricultural sub-committee of the joint committee of the EU/Bulgaria interim agreement, which takes place in Sofia on 23–25 March.

  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has raised with the Hungarian Government the effect on Scotch whisky exporters of Hungary's restrictive quota system applied to imported spirits.

  Mr. Needham
  My Department has been aware of the difficulties which importers of spirits face in this market for some time, and has raised these with Hungarian counterparts when appropriate.

  We have agreed with the Scotch Whisky Association that, over the next few months at least, we may be of greatest help in supporting the industry's representations to the Hungarian administration. This we are doing, although recognising that progress may be difficult to sustain over the period of the Hungarian general elections which are due to be held in May.

  Liquor Tax (Japan)
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action Her Majesty's Government plans to take following the Japanese Government's failure to implement in full the requirements of a 1987 GATT panel in regard to liquor tax as part of its budget proposals for 1994–95.

  Mr. Needham
  It is disappointing that the proposals in the budget currently passing through the Japanese Diet would merely reduce, rather than remove, tax discrimination against imported liquors.

  My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the President of the Board of Trade and I have all made clear to the Japanese Government on every possible occasion that we expect the recommendations of the GATT panel to be implemented as soon as possible. We will be considering with our EU partners what further action can be taken.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many contracts his Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 23 March 1994]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number and value (including amendments) of consultancy contracts awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry, 1989–1993

  Calendar Year

  Number of Contracts

  Value (£)

  1989

  415

  26,578,000

  1990

  517

  27,620,000

  1991

  597

  38,491,000

  1992

  543

  36,612,000

  1993

  402

  29,369,000

  The above figures exclude consultancy contracts let independently by the Department's executive agencies.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the conclusions and recommendations of the review of fire safety legislation and enforcement he announced on 17th January.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The review of fire safety legislation and enforcement by a Government scrutiny team was announced on 17 January and is still in progress. It is taking representations from anyone with an interest.

  I am aware that there are some concerns about the wording in an early draft of a report by the construction industry deregulation task force which suggested that the Government's position is already settled. That was a mistaken claim by the authors of the report and does not represent the Government's position. The scrutiny team is due to complete its work by the end of May and an announcement will be made in due course against the background of the Government's commitment not to compromise safety standards.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Correspondence
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General how many letters were received from, and written to, hon. Members by(a) himself and (b) the Solicitor General in February.

  The Solicitor-General
  (a) 48 received, 30 written and (b) three received, two written.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions in the last five years he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost; and on what subjects.

  The Solicitor-General
  The Law Officers answer parliamentary questions in accordance with paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list for the last 12 months how many parliamentary questions he has referred to one of his Department's agencies for answer; and what percentage of parliamentary questions to his Department this represents.

  The Solicitor-General
  None.

  PROFESSOR JONES, BNFL: REPORT
  PROFESSOR JONES, BNFL: REPORT
  OFFICIAL REPORT: PRICING
  OFFICIAL REPORT: PRICING
  CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME
  CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME
  LONDON PARKS POLICING: MOUNTAIN BIKE
  LONDON PARKS POLICING: MOUNTAIN BIKE
  REFRIGERANT BANK
  REFRIGERANT BANK
  THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY: RESPONSE TO SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT
  THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY: RESPONSE TO SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT