Written Answers of 10 May 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average length of time it takes from an application being made to the Immigration Appellate Authority to the date of the determination; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Once an application is made to the Immigration Appellate Authority, it is for the parties to signify when they are ready for hearing. The time taken to reach this stage varies between two and eight months. The first available hearing date at each of the IAA's centres as at 6 May 1994 is set out in the table.

  Centre

  Long appointment

  Short appointment

  Hatton Cross, West London

  9 September 1994

  27 July 1994

  Thanet House, London

  10 July 1994

  1 June 1994

  Birmingham

  18 August 1994

  17 August 1994

  Manchester

  17 August 1994

  17 August 1994

  Leeds

  1 July 1994

  21 June 1994

  Glasgow

  July 1994

  30 June 1994

  Once the case has been heard, the adjudicator's determination normally issues to the parties within six to eight weeks.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Private Security Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private security firms were employed by his Department in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) the last year for which figures are available; and in each of these years (i) which sections of his Department employed these firms, (ii) which firms they were, (iii) what was the job for which they were employed and (iv) what was the value of the contract in each case.

  Mr. Howard
  I regret that there is no central record of information of private security firms employed by my Department. I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on Tuesday 26 April,Official Report, column 98, for available information in respect of security companies employed by my Department.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his specific proposals in regard to his promise of specific action to help families of murder victims which he announced in news release No. 76/94 on 20 April.
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  Mr. Maclean
  Our specific proposals were set out in the news release to which the hon. Member has referred. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, columns 183–84, if he will publish the name of the executive search agency used to recruit the prisons ombudsman, and the amount of money that they were paid for this.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The executive search agency used to recruit the prisons ombudsman was Coopers and Lybrand Executive Resourcing, it was paid £20,332.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce pilot schemes on electronic tagging this year.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill includes provision for the introduction of electronically monitored curfew orders in selected areas; and the explanatory and financial memorandum to the Bill explained the intention to conduct pilot trials accordingly. Subject to parliamentary approval of this provision, I propose to make curfew orders available to the courts on a pilot basis, starting in the new year. Manchester is one of three areas in which such trials might take place.

  European Elections
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give full details of the arrangements he has made for publicising the new arrangements affecting those eligible to vote at the European elections in June; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question tabled by the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 25 February,Official Report, columns 508–9. All the measures noted in that reply have now been completed.

  Police Training
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries and the number of police officers from each of those countries—from which police officers are being trained by police authorities at the present time in England and Wales.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information of this nature is not held centrally and could be obtained only at dispropor-tionate cost.

  Asylum Applications (Poland)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Poland have applied for political asylum since 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In the period 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994, 86 nationals of Poland, excluding dependants, applied for asylum in the United Kingdom.

  Secure Training Centres, North Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the new secure training centres for persistent juvenile offenders are to be located in north Wales.

  Mr. Maclean
  No secure training centres are to be located in north Wales.

  Prison Births
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many babies were born in prisons in England and Wales in each year since 1987; how many of the mothers were handcuffed at the time of giving birth; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 10 May 1994:
  Births to women serving prison sentences in each year since 1987.
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking how many babies were born in prisons in England and Wales in each year since 1987; how many of the mothers were handcuffed at the time of giving birth.
  The annual reports on the work of the Prison Service until 1991–92 record the number of women temporarily removed to outside hospital for delivery and returning to establishments afterwards. Figures are now published in the annual report of the Director of Health Care for Prisoners. The figures are:

  Number

  1987–88

  75

  1988–89

  63

  1989–90

  74

  1990–91

  65

  1991–92

  56

  1992–93

  29

  In addition there were three deliveries within Prison Service establishments:

  Number

  1987–88

  1

  1988–89

  2

  We are aware of only one birth to date during which the mother was handcuffed.

  Police, Peterlee
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables were deployed in the Peterlee sub-division in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Year

  Number

  1989

  22

  1990

  30

  1991

  37

  74

  Year

  Number

  1992

  41

  1993

  40

  Immigration (Exceptional Leave to Remain)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in each of the last five years, including the current year to date, an application for renewal of exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom has been refused; and how many of these refusals were after one year's exceptional leave and how many were after four years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Precise figures are not available, but in each of the four years 1990–93, the number of asylum applicants refused an extension of exceptional leave does not exceed a figure of the order of 15. Provisional information for the first quarter of 1994 indicates a similar annual level in 1994 to date.

  The available information suggests that the majority of the refusals were after one year with exceptional leave.

  Prison Statistics
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently being held in police cells in the north Wales police force area; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 10 May 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about how many prisoners are currently being held in police cells in the North Wales police force area.
  No prisoners are currently being held in police cells in the North Wales area.

  Cardiff Prison
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce overcrowding at Cardiff prison; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 10 May 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Cardiff prison.
  The certified normal accommodation for Cardiff prison is 253. On 5 May 1994 311 prisoners were held at Cardiff. This was 29 fewer than Cardiff's operational capacity of 340. Operational capacity is the total number of prisoners which an establishment can hold without serious risk to good order, security and the proper running of the planned regime.
  Enabling work has recently commenced at Cardiff Prison in connection with the construction of new accommodation. The new wing, which is scheduled for completion in mid-1996, will provide 196 additional places.

  Prison Service Agency
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what members of senior prison service personnel working in the Prison Service Agency received bonus payments in 1993.

  Mr. Howard
  Eight senior members of the Prison Service received bonus payments linked to performance in 1993.

  Staff Transfers
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the individuals and amounts paid in 1992–93 to compensate staff for the decline in house prices following transfer in public interest, with the original place of work and the new place of work which qualified each individual to the compensation.

  Mr. Howard
  The numbers of staff concerned and the total sums paid by way of advances of salary and special payments were given in reply to a question tabled by the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 25 February,Official Report, column 507. It would not be appropriate to provide details of the financial affairs of named individuals.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, column 127, if he will list the general and local statutory instruments made since 1 November 1993 up to the end of February according to the Ministries responsible for them.

  Mr. Newton
  Further disagregation of the information given in my answer of 8 March could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has(a) to utilise the Internet, (b) to make available on the Internet press releases and other departmental information which the public may wish to have access to and (c) to use the Internet as a means of increasing the openness of his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department uses Internet to exchange information electronically with the European Commission, industry, and academic bodies involved in research. It does not use Internet as a way of putting information in the public domain, and has no plans to do so.

  Cross-channel Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 512, what proposals the electricity industry has made to his Department for expanding the capacity of the cross-channel electricity interconnector.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people in whole time equivalents were employed at the Atomic Energy Authority, distinguishing the police force from other employees, in each of the last three years and at April 1994.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information is as follows:

  Date

  AEA constabulary

  Other AEA

  Total

  31 March 1991

  587

  9,056

  9,643

  31 March 1992

  538

  8,630

  9,168

  31 March 1993

  528

  7,494

  8,022

  31 March 1994

  491

  7,057

  7,548

  (Part-timers counted as half).

  Cellular Phone Networks
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the practice of cellular networks of charging callers for connection to their network when the recipient is unable to take the call; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have received no representations concerning charges made by operators for recorded messages, but I understand that the Director General of Telecommunications has received some. The Office of Telecommunications is exploring with the network operators how the level of customer satisfaction with recorded message services can be improved.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what occasion the European Council of Ministers last discussed the steel industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friends the Members for Basildon (Mr. Amess) and for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 29 April,Official Report, columns 348–49.

  Spirits
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what legislative changes he intends to propose to amend the quantities in which spirits may be sold for consumption on licensed premises.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My noble Friend Lord Strathclyde has today laid before Parliament the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Order 1994 and the Measuring Equipment (Capacity Measures) (Amendment) Regulations 1994. The order has been laid for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament. The regulations have been made before laying and are subject to the negative resolution procedure.

  Current legislation provides that gin, rum, vodka and whisky may be served in a quantity of ¼ gill, ⅕ gill, ⅙ gill, or 25 ml and that the three imperial quantities be phased out by the end of this year. The new legislation will allow a second metric quantity of 35 ml and thereby allow those

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  licensees—principally in Scotland—who, at present, sell spirits in either ¼ or ⅕ gill to continue to serve a more generous measure.

  Nuclear Installations (Policing)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are made for the policing of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant and related installations.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: THORP and related installations are part of British Nuclear Fuels plc's Sellafield site and the policing arrangements that apply to the Sellafield site also apply to THORP.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if it is his policy to maintain the Atomic Energy Authority police as a public body under public control in the event of the privatisation of establishments that the force currently polices.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Wantage (Mr. Jackson) on 17 February 1994, Official Report, columns 922–24.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what matters, subject to the Blelloch inquiry into the Ministry of Defence Police, also relate to the future structure and complement of the Atomic Energy Authority police.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: The Blelloch inquiry is concerned solely with the Ministry of Defence police and is not due to publish its full report until June 1994. Until my Department has received and studied the report I am not in a position to comment on any possible implications there might be for the Atomic Energy Authority constabulary.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are made for the policing of UK Nirex Ltd.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: No specific policing arrangements are applied to UK Nirex Ltd.

  Newspapers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to announce further proposals concerning the supply of newspapers; what representations he has received on his Department's final inquiry up to 31 March; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: The Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of national newspapers in England and Wales identified certain practices of wholesalers as operating against the public interest. I have therefore proposed making a statutory order prohibiting these practices. A wide range of views has been received during the period for submission of written representations on the proposed order, which ended on 31 March. My officials are now holding a final series of meetings with representative parties from the industry to discuss their representations, both on the order and on the possible alternative of an industry code of practice backed by statutory undertakings. I hope to announce my final decision as soon as possible, once I have had an opportunity to consider the outcome of the consultation process.

PRIME MINISTER

  ANZAC Day
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) of 28 April,Official Report, column 244, if he will consider the banning of traffic in Whitehall during the period of time taken on ANZAC day for the laying of wreaths and the silent tribute.

  The Prime Minister
  Under the terms of the sessional orders, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is required, during the Session of Parliament, to keep the streets leading to and from the Houses of Parliament free and open. Any proposal to amend the sessional orders would be a matter for this House and another place.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 10 May.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 10 May.

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

  Privatisation (Consultants)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in which the Cabinet Office has been engaged since 1980.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 May 1994]: The Cabinet Office has undertaken no privatisation since 1980 and consequently has incurred no expenditure on consultants in connection with it.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister what have been the costs incurred by his office in(a) providing legal advice to witnesses appearing before the Scott inquiry, (b) drawing up evidence to be submitted to the Scott inquiry, (c) officials and legal advisers attending the Scott inquiry and (d) any other related costs.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 6 May 1994]: The costs under (a) to (c) are unquantifiable. No legal or other help was provided from outside the Government. The costs therefore consisted in the time of myself and Sir Robin Butler, who appeared as witnesses, and of the officials who gave support as part of their normal duties.

  Under (d), the cost of the Cabinet Office liaison unit since December 1992, including the cost of supplying documents from 10 Downing street and the Cabinet Office to the inquiry, has been approximately £230,000.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the extent of drought problems in Ethiopia; and what is being done by the Government and the European Union to combat these problems.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  More than 6 million people are estimated to be at risk from drought. 1994 emergency food aid needs are now estimated at nearly 800,000 tonnes. Since October 1993, Britain has committed 30,000 tonnes of bilateral food aid to Ethiopia; 15,000 tonnes has already been delivered and a further 4,000 tonnes will arrive this month. The European Commission has also earmarked 130,000 tonnes; 50,000 tonnes will arrive this month. My noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development wrote to major donors in March highlighting Ethiopia's needs and urging an early response.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which United Nations or aid organisations are now visiting or operating from Dilling and Kadugli in Sudan; and what information has been gathered from their work about conditions in the Nuba mountains.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Nations Children's Fund have established a small base at Kadugli, supplemented by short-term visits. World Food Programme has limited access via El Obeid for its food aid programme. The Food and Agriculture Organisation seeds programme in Kordofan plans to include Kadugli.

  The Save the Children Fund (USA), CARE International and FAR—Fellowship for African Relief—have mandates agreed with the Government of Sudan which cover Dillinge and Kadugli but specific projects have yet to be implemented.

  A United Nations agencies assessment mission in February reported food aid needs around Kadugli and Dillinge of around 300 tonnes per month for about 25,000 people. Non-food needs included drinking water, supplementary feeding, blankets, medicines and education facilities. A recent nutrition survey of children in the indigenous population and displaced camps indicated worsening levels of malnutrition of up to 19 per cent. UNICEF and WFP are urgently seeking to address these needs.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on the reservations of the Sudan People's Liberation Army about signing a draft agreement in Nairobi with the Sudanese Government for the distribution of humanitarian aid; and what assessment he has made of the effect of these proposals on international aid agencies, with particular reference to British based agencies.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We understand that the SPLA raised a number of objections to four of the five proposed relief routes which pass through territory controlled by its forces. Talks between the parties are still continuing and a United Nations Operation Lifeline Sudan statement is expected next week.
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  International aid agencies, including British-based agencies, have reported no major effects on their relief operations as a result of the current talks. They are continuing to press to maintain and improve access to areas in need, although land routes are now being affected by the onset of the rainy season. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Bakassi Peninsula
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the national identity of the Bakassi peninsula; and when he last had discussions on this with the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is a matter of great concern that there should be a dispute between two countries with which we maintain close relations. We have urged both the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities to seek a peaceful solution but made it clear that we take no position on the claims of either side.

  The subject was raised most recently during our high commissioner's farewell call on the Nigerian Head of State on 26 April, and with Cameroon when special envoy Ironi called on my noble friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey on 28 March.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects receiving humanitarian and development aid from the Overseas Development Administration and European Union in Somalia; and how this is distributed between the various regions of Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Information on humanitarian assistance projects funded by Britain since January 1993 and by the European Commission during 1993, showing implementing agencies and regions assisted, has been placed in the libraries of both Houses. The United Kingdom information includes food aid. Britain's bilateral development programme to Somalia was suspended in 1991.

  In 1993 the European Commission also provided 33,000 tonnes of food aid worth £14 million and funded rehabilitation projects worth £2.3 million across Somalia. A new European Commission rehabilitation programme for Somalia worth nearly £30 million was approved in December 1993. Specific project proposals are currently under preparation.

  Information on projects funded by other EU member states is not available.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimate of the number of refugees from Rwanda who are now in Tanzania.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, some 50,000 Rwandese refugees have remained in Tanzania following flows into that country over many years beginning in the 1950s. Some 20,000 more arrived following the events of early April and an estimated
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  250,000 crossed the border over a 24-hour period around 28 April. Since then, UNHCR workers report—as of 9 May—that a further 150-200 people have arrived by boat each day. Owing to the number of refugees and their emergency needs, UNHCR has not yet undertaken a comprehensive registration exercise.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given by the Government and the European Union to assist Tanzania to cope with refugees from Rwanda.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since 6 April 1994, Britain has committed £3.35 million bilaterally of humanitarian assistance for Rwandan refugees in the region, of which £1.75 million is for those in Tanzania. Other EU countries and the European Commission have announced nearly £2 million-worth of assistance so far for Rwandan refugees in the region, including Tanzania.

  EU Development Ministers discussed the situation in Rwanda on 6 May and have asked political directors to consider, at their meeting today, the possibility of an EU mission to the countries bordering Rwanda to examine the problems caused by the flows of refugees.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Members' Smoking Room
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment he has made of the new shift hours and arrangements for staff in the Members' Smoking Room from 11 July; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Beith
  In accordance with established practice I shall ask the Director of Catering Services to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, what changes are proposed in the hours of opening of the Members' Smoking Room; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  The Catering Committee has agreed to endorse the proposal made by the Refreshment Department that the Members' Smoking Room should continue to open at 11 am and should normally close 15 minutes after the rising of the House, rather than one hour after the rising of the House as at present. If the House rises after midnight, the Smoking Room will close when the House adjourns. This change reflects the pattern of usage experienced over a considerable period of time, but will be subject to further review as necessary.

  Unfair Dismissal Proceedings
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission how many personnel and in which departments within the Palace of Westminster have taken the House authorities to an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal; and how many cases have been won and at what cost to the Exchequer in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Beith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 82
  14 April Official Report, column 259 which describes the one case since 1989 concerning a member of staff of the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

  Falklands
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he visited the minefields during his recent visit to the Falkland islands and what is his assessment of the practicability of the mines being removed by current technology.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not visit a minefield during his visit.

  Following the Argentine offer to pay for mine clearance, we are still looking at the practical aspects to see if the means exist to clear the mines to an acceptable level.

  EC Directives
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which European Community countries have been fined for not complying with directives or regulations and have not yet paid the fine.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There have not yet been instances of member states being fined for failure to comply with European Community directives or regulations. The power of the European Court of Justice to impose such fines is a new one, introduced in the Maastricht treaty following a British initiative.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 May,Official Report, column 427, which firm of consultants was joined by a civil servant from his Department in 1990; and how many contracts they have undertaken for his Department.

  Mr. Goodlad
  In 1990 a retired civil servant from my Department joined Market Access International as an independent consultant. Neither the diplomatic wing nor the Overseas Development Administration has awarded any contracts above £10,000 to this firm since 1990. No central records are kept for contracts below £10,000.

  Belize
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the United Kingdom and(a) the United States and (b) Mexico on guaranteeing the territorial integrity of Belize.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have made it clear to the Belize Government that we stand ready to participate in any consultations that they may request on Belize's future security, and that we are prepared to play our part in any consultations that would lead to an appropriate response should the security of Belize be threatened in the future. It would not be right for me to comment on any discussions with other countries.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what arrangements have been made in the forthcoming European elections for the people of Gibraltar to be represented in the European Parliament.

  (2) if he will make a statement on the electoral representation of the people of Gibraltar in the European Community.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Annexe II of the EC Act on direct elections of 1976 limits to the United Kingdom itself the franchise for elections to the European Parliament. It follows that Gibraltar will not be formally represented in the new European Parliament.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence and the Government of Gibraltar on the effect of proposed cuts in military and defence personnel in Gibraltar.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are frequent and close consultations at ministerial and official levels with the MOD and the Government of Gibraltar. We are conscious of Gibraltar's economic difficulties and of the need to develop alternatives to the MOD presence. We have therefore established a joint economic forum with a remit to explore the possibilities. It met for the first time on 15 March, and included FCO, MOD and Government of Gibraltar representatives.

HEALTH

  NHS Estate
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NHS estate code was last revised; and what plans she has to update it.

  Mr. Sackville
  The latest revision of the estate code series of documents was published in October 1993. These were, "Strategic Asset Management", "Estate Investment Planning", "Analysis of Estate Performance" and "Asset Maintenance". Copies of the documents will be placed in the Library.

  Detailed guidance of this kind frequently requires updating and supplementary advice is issued from time to time for that purpose.

  Further documents are planned to be issued later this year on:

  NHS Trust Property Management

  Listed Buildings

  Environments for Quality Care.

  Old Peoples Homes
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of(a) old peoples homes in the ownership of North Yorkshire county council, (b) people which can be accommodated in these homes, (c) places occupied and (d) shared bedrooms; and what was the cost for each resident in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Bowis
  The information available centrally is shown in the table. Information is not available centrally to enable the costs of residential placements in local authority homes situated within North Yorkshire to be calculated.
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  North Yorkshire: Local authority staffed residential homes for elderly people,1 places, and residents

  As at 31 March

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Number of homes

  46

  42

  41

  Number of places

  1,823

  1,612

  1,546

  Number of residents

  1,566

  1,371

  1,296

  Places not in single rooms

  657

  442

  366

  1 Includes homes primarily for elderly or elderly mentally infirm people.

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total percentage of savings in 1991–92 of general practitioner fundholders used for(a) clearing waiting lists, (b) providing equipment and (c) improving practice premises.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Regional health authorities are responsible for the general practitioner fundholding scheme in their areas, including ensuring that efficiency savings are used to improve services for patients.

  Mortality Trends
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the trends in mortality of the 10 per cent. and 20 per cent. of most deprived and most prosperous electoral wards for the latest 10 years for which information is available.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Health Survey
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 18 April,Official Report, column 399, if she proposes to invite the social surveys division of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to include income and socio-economic status questions in the 1994 and 1995 health surveys for England.

  Mr. Sackville
  The 1994 health survey for England has been running continuously since January and, as in previous years, is collecting information relating to a range of socio-economic indicators such as social class, employment, housing, marital status, household type and ethnic group. These indicators currently meet data needs within the limited space available for such questions.

  The 1994 and 1995 surveys are being carried out by Social and Community Planning Research in conjunction with University college, London.

  Counselling
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the national health service has spent on counselling in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Bowis
  The cost of counselling of staff on patients is not calculated separately on a national basis.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 28 March,Official Report, column 600, if she will now publish the information on medical negligence claims for 1992–93.
  85
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information supplied by national health service bodies on the number of cases settled and on the total costs of damages awarded together with legal costs is shown in the table. The information is incomplete because not all NHS bodies have submitted returns.

  1992–93

  Region

  Cases

  Cost £

  Northern

  344

  3,395,500

  Yorkshire

  49

  1,720,000

  Trent

  105

  2,952,700

  East Anglian

  37

  3,294,700

  North West Thames

  183

  6,209,500

  North East Thames

  76

  1,624,200

  South East Thames

  117

  5,714,042

  South West Thames

  64

  2,542,700

  Wessex

  72

  681,100

  District nurses, health visitors, community psychiatric nursing and hospital nursing and midwives in central, north, south east and west Birmingham DHA areas at 30 September 1983 to 1992 Whole-time equivalents

  District nurses

  Health visitors

  Community psychiatric nursing

  Hospital nurses and midwives

  Practice nurses (Birmingham FHSA at 1 October)

  1983

  160

  190

  20

  9,740

  39

  1984

  160

  190

  20

  9,680

  436

  1985

  190

  200

  40

  9,750

  62

  1986

  190

  220

  50

  9,550

  44

  1987

  180

  230

  70

  9,630

  50

  1988

  180

  220

  70

  9,490

  68

  1989

  210

  220

  80

  9,550

  86

  1990

  220

  220

  90

  9,500

  123

  1991

  220

  220

  90

  9,660

  140

  1992

  210

  210

  90

  9,660

  177

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. Agency nurses are excluded.

  3. In 1992 there were approximately 18,300 project 2000 nurses in England. 4 At 1 July.

  Surgical Patients (Follow-up and After-care)
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether hospital trusts that manage area hospitals are fulfilling their responsibilities over follow-up monitoring and necessary after-care of patients who have undergone surgery.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. It is for individual health authorities and, where relevant, general practitioner fundholders, who purchase health care, to ensure they have effective arrangements in place to monitor health services in accordance with the terms of contracts, including monitoring the adequacy of out-patient clinics, and patients' progress following surgery, and the provision of community services to meet the needs of discharged patients.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors are contracted for more than 83 hours per week in each hospital in each of London's regional health authortities; and how many have regularly worked more than 83 hours per week since 1 January 1993.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At 31 March 1994, the number of junior doctors and dentists in London regional health authorities, contracted to work for more than an average of 83 hours a week, was reported to be:
  86

  Region

  Cases

  Cost £

  Oxford

  113

  917,100

  South Western

  56

  3,517,300

  West Midlands

  165

  3,660,700

  Mersey

  192

  3,621,900

  North Western

  160

  4,456,600

  Special Health Authorities

  5

  752,100

  Nurses
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district nurses, community psychiatric nurses, health visitors and hospital nurses there were in Birmingham in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available is shown in the table.

  Number

  North East Thames

  0

  North West Thames

  1

  South East Thames

  5

  South West Thames

  4

  Total

  10

  Information on individual hospitals and on hours of work is not available centrally.

  NHS Pensioner Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the key business targets for the National Health Service Pensions Agency for 1994–95.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am pleased to announce that I have approved the National Health Service Pensions Agency key business targets for 1994–95. These challenging targets covering customer service are shown in the table.

  Key Customer Service Targets

  Product and Clearance Standard

  Proposed Target Percentage

  Increase on 1993–94 Achievement Percentage

  Pension Awards

  Within 4 weeks of receiving application from employer

  95

  —

  Within 8 weeks of receiving application from employer

  199

  —

  87

  Product and Clearance Standard

  Proposed Target Percentage

  Increase on 1993–94 Achievement Percentage

  Pension Estimates (Practitioner)

  reduction of timescale by 16 per cent.

  Within 5 weeks of receiving request

  80

  reduction of percentage cleared by 13 per cent.

  Within 8 weeks of receiving request

  199

  +1

  Pension Estimates (Non-Practitioner)

  Within 4 weeks of receiving request

  95

  +2

  Within 8 weeks of receiving request

  199

  —

  Transfer Payments

  Within 8 weeks of receiving application

  199

  —

  Transfer Estimates

  Within 8 weeks of receiving application

  199

  +27

  Correspondence

  Cleared within 4 weeks

  100

  +2

  1 Achievement not within total control of Agency, 100 per cent target is considered unattainable.

  Efficiency Gains

  Ensure that the Agency's expenditure is contained within agreed running costs and other cash limits and deliver at least 5 per cent. efficiency gains by 31 March 1995.

  GP Lists
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of the age of a patient being taken into account by a general practitioner or a general practitioner practice when determining whether to accept a new patient on to their lists; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Hospital Closures, Birmingham
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health

  (1) if she will list the individuals and organisations which submitted written objections to the closure of the Royal orthopaedic hospital in Birmingham (a) during the West Midlands regional health authority's formal consultation on the proposed closure during 1992 and (b) prior to her decision of February 1993 to approve the closure;

  (2) if she will list the individuals and organisations which submitted written objections to the closure of the accident and emergency unit in Birmingham during (a) the West Midlands regional health authority's formal consultation on the proposed closure during 1992 and (b) prior to her decision of February 1993 to approve the closure;

  (3) on what date in February 1993 she agreed the closure of the accident and emergency unit in Birmingham;

  (4) on what date in February 1993 she agreed the closure of the Royal orthopaedic hospital in Birmingham.

  Mr. Sackville
  South Birmingham health authority was responsible for consulting on the proposal to close the Birmingham accident hospital and the Royal orthopaedic 88
  hospital and the consequential transfer of services elsewhere within the South Birmingham acute unit. In seeking the agreement to the reconfiguration proposals, South Birmingham health authority prepared a paper analysing responses to the consultation exercise for the board of the west midlands regional health authority.

  This was considered at a meeting held in November 1992. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Bryan Baker, Chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority, for specific details.

  We have received a number of letters from various organisations about the closure of the Birmingham accident and Royal orthopaedic hospitals. In October 1992, a petition was received by the Department opposing the closure of the Royal orthopaedic hospital.

  The Department of Health agreed the closure of these hospitals on 1 February 1993.

  Residential Care and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the status of the letter dated 24 March sent by Tom Luce of her Department to inspection unit managers on the regulation of residential care and nursing homes.

  Mr. Bowis
  Consultative.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make available the latest figures on the cost of registering and inspecting residential care and nursing homes for each local authority in England.

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is not available in the detail requested. Local authorities have provided returns showing their gross costs of registering and inspecting residential care homes run by private or voluntary organisations under the Registered Homes Act 1984 in 1991–92—the latest year for which data are available. The data do not cover children's homes. Local authorities do not register or inspect nursing homes. Local authorities do not provide separate returns on the cost of inspecting local authority-run homes.

  Costs of registering and inspecting residential care homes run by private or voluntary organisations

  Costs in 1991–92 in £'000s

  Local authority

  Cost

  Avon

  380

  Bedfordshire

  56

  Berkshire

  230

  Buckinghamshire

  132

  Cambridgeshire

  280

  Cheshire

  347

  Cleveland

  150

  Cornwall

  1—

  Cumbria

  122

  Derbyshire

  144

  Devon

  743

  Dorset

  250

  Durham

  151

  East Sussex

  1—

  Essex

  869

  Gloucestershire

  140

  Hampshire

  589

  Hereford and Worcester

  241

  Hertfordshire

  174

  Humberside

  227

  Isle of Wight

  210

  Kent

  533

  Lancaster

  725

  Leicester

  226

  Lincolnshire

  153

  89

  Local authority

  Cost

  Norfolk

  377

  Northamptonshire

  168

  Northumberland

  15

  Doncaster

  110

  Rotherham

  33

  Sheffield

  60

  Gateshead

  71

  Newcastle

  129

  North Tyneside

  76

  South Tyneside

  54

  Sunderland

  143

  Birmingham

  371

  Coventry

  135

  Dudley

  1—

  Sandwell

  111

  Solihull

  1—

  Walsall

  1—

  Wolverhampton

  127

  Bradford

  187

  Calderdale

  42

  Kirklees

  89

  Leeds

  311

  Wakefield

  24

  City of London

  1—

  Camden

  52

  Greenwich

  1—

  Hackney

  142

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  20

  Islington

  45

  Kensington and Chelsea

  32

  Lambeth

  1—

  North Yorkshire

  311

  Nottinghamshire

  1—

  Oxfordshire

  159

  Shropshire

  161

  Somerset

  222

  Staffordshire

  177

  Suffolk

  203

  Surrey

  1—

  Warwickshire

  1—

  West Sussex

  323

  Wiltshire

  302

  Isles of Scilly

  1—

  Bolton

  79

  Bury

  47

  Manchester

  166

  Oldham

  153

  Rochdale

  60

  Salford

  193

  Stockport

  97

  Tameside

  127

  Trafford

  1—

  Wigan

  1—

  Knowsley

  1—

  Liverpool

  170

  St. Helens

  63

  Sefton

  1—

  Wirral

  208

  Barnsley

  1—

  Lewisham

  137

  Southwark

  93

  Tower Hamlets

  1—

  Wandsworth

  35

  Westminster

  1—

  Barking and Dagenham

  6

  Barnet

  85

  Bexley

  1—

  Brent

  75

  Bromley

  59

  Croydon

  261

  Ealing

  103

  Enfield

  131

  Haringey

  144

  Harrow

  162

  Havering

  144

  Hillingdon

  5

  Hounslow

  90

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  71

  90

  Local authority

  Cost

  Merton

  60

  Newham

  132

  Redbridge

  103

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  22

  Sutton

  23

  Waltham Forest

  70

  1 No information provided.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average cost of a tribunal under the Registered Homes Act 1984; and what is its average duration;

  (2) what provision is made to compensate local authorities for the cost of tribunals under the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Mr. Bowis
  The average duration of Registered Homes tribunal cases in 1992 and 1993 was just over four days. Information which would show the average cost of such hearings is not available centrally. However costs to local authorities in relation to such appeals are included in the cost of their duties under the Registered Homes Act 1984 reported to the Department. The level of fees payable by home owners will therefore take into account the cost involved.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to modify the requirement for the inspection of residential care and nursing homes, except small homes, at least twice a year.

  Mr. Bowis
  We have at present no specific proposals. We shall consult more widely if we decide to bring forward proposals to improve existing arrangements, while retaining safeguards for vulnerable residents.

  Health System
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) of 22 March,Official Report, column 125, what evidence has been drawn to his attention within the NHS of the existence of a two-tier health system.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Chiropody Services
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy in respect of the treatment by national health service chiropodists of the residents of independent sector residential and nursing homes.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is the responsibility of the national health service to provide chiropody to people who need it irrespective of where they live.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what consideration he has given to the potential conflict of interest created by the appointment of Mr. Gummer as chairman of the Arts Council national lottery advisory panel, in the light of the appointment of Shandwick Communications as advisers to a bidder for the national lottery franchise;
  91
  (2) if he will seek information on which bidders for the national lottery franchise are advised by companies in which Mr. Gummer, chairman of the Arts Council national lottery advisory panel, has a financial interest.

  Mr. Brooke
  Mr. Gummer is a chairman and chief executive of Shandwick Communications, a public relations company which is advising one of the companies that have applied to run the National Lottery.

  The operation of the lottery and the distribution of lottery funds are entirely separate and distinct functions. The successful applicant to run the lottery will have no function in the distribution of lottery funds; the Arts Council, supported by its national lottery advisory panel, as a distributor of the national lottery proceeds, will play no part in the running of the national lottery. There is therefore no real or potential conflict of interest.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what instructions he has given to the Director-General of the Office of the national lottery to disqualify bids from companies where there is prima facie evidence of conflicts of interest involving their directors or advisers.

  Mr. Brooke
  None. The Director General of Oflot has a statutory duty under section 4 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 to ensure fitness and propriety in the running of the national lottery and must take account of any matters he deems appropriate to fulfil that duty.

  In addition, section 5(4) of the Act states that the Director General of Oflot shall not grant a licence to run the lottery unless he is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper body, and section 6(4) states that he should not grant a licence to a body to promote a lottery that forms part of the national lottery unless he is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper body.

  Motor Sports Promotion
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 425, what is his estimate of the amounts spent in the United Kingdom on motor sports advertising and promotion.

  Mr. Brooke
  These figures are not available. The sponsorship figures provided under the terms of the current voluntary agreement do not include the international sponsorship of motor racing which benefits this country.

  Sports Sponsorship (Tobacco Companies)
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 425, what was the maximum amount in cash terms of allowable expenditure on sports sponsorship by tobacco manufacturers under the terms of the voluntary agreement in each of the years given in the table; and what are his projections of the maximum amounts allowable for the next five years.

  Mr. Brooke
  The maximum expenditure by tobacco manufacturers on sports sponsorship allowed under the current voluntary agreement is based on the expenditure in 1985–86, increased in line with inflation. The values, rounded to the nearest £1,000, are as follows:
  92

  £

  1985–86

  8,252,000

  1986–87

  8,582,000

  1987–88

  8,881,000

  1988–89

  9,580,000

  1989–90

  10,357,000

  1990–91

  11,210,000

  1991–92

  11,662,000

  No projections have been made for the next five years.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 425, if he will publish the full returns submitted to his Department by the tobacco manufacturers.

  Mr. Brooke
  The full returns, submitted on behalf of the Tobacco Advisory Council, are as follows:

  Year

  Fees to organizers/governing bodies £

  Costs of advertising/promotional material £

  1985–86

  5,635,000

  2,617,000

  1986–87

  5,887,000

  1,812,000

  1987–88

  5,523,000

  388,000

  1988–89

  5,004,000

  325,000

  1989–90

  6,596,000

  657,000

  1990–91

  6,878,000

  752,000

  1991–92

  8,294,000

  687,000

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 425, what definition of expenditure on sports sponsorship the Government use when requiring tobacco manufacturers to provide information under the terms of the voluntary agreement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Paragraph 7 of the voluntary agreement clearly defines the information that tobacco manufacturers are required to provide. A list of recognised sporting activities is at appendix 2 to the agreement. Any doubts over the interpretation of the voluntary agreement would be resolved between the tobacco industry and the Minister for Sport.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 425, what is his estimate of the total expenditure on sports sponsorship in the United Kingdom for each of the years listed in his table.

  Mr. Brooke
  Estimates of the overall size of the sports sponsorship market are as follows:

  £ million

  1985

  128

  1986

  146

  1987

  164

  1988

  182

  1989

  200

  1990

  223

  1991

  238

  1992

  239

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official

  93
  Report, column 425, what verification the Government require of the returns submitted by tobacco manufacturers under the terms of the voluntary agreement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The figures from the tobacco manufacturers are verified by their own auditors, and the aggregate figures are supplied by a firm of chartered accountants.

  St. Ethelburga's Church
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to meet the Bishop of London to discuss the future of St. Ethelburga's church, Bishopsgate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I am always happy to meet the bishop, but it is for the diocese to consider the various options for St. Ethelburga's and put forward proposals in due course. Any firm proposals would be likely to involve a need for a faculty or planning permission, or both.

  Pub Theatres
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the funding of pub theatres.

  Mr. Brooke
  Over the past 20 years, pub theatres have added a new and lively dimension to theatre life in London and elsewhere. They have an important role to play in the encouragement of new writing for the theatre. The funding of the theatres is a matter for the Arts Council and the regional arts boards. I understand that the London arts board provides support to the work that takes place in some pub venues, for example this year the King's Head in Islington will receive £38,222, and £15,352 is being allocated to the Gate in Notting Hill.

  British Jazz
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much has been spent on the promotion of British jazz in each of the last 10 years; and how much his Department expects to spend on the promotion of British jazz in the next two years.

  Mr. Brooke
  Central Government funding of the arts is channelled through the national Arts Councils and, in England, the 10 regional arts boards. It is for these bodies to determine the allocation of funds between the various art forms, including jazz. I understand that, overall, some £850,000 was spent on jazz in England in 1992–93. This is the most recent available figure. Comparable figures for earlier years are not held centrally. Future spending on jazz will reflect the outcome of a national review of jazz funding which has just been launched by the Arts Council of England.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Court Service
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement his decision to establish the Scottish Court Service as an executive agency.

  Mr. Lang
  I have decided that the Scottish Court Service will be established as an executive agency under 94
  the "next steps" initiative, with a vesting day of 3 April 1995. Arrangements are now being made to recruit a chief executive for the agency, and advertisements will appear in the national press in the course of this week.

  Police Authorities
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that each local authority should be represented on the new police authorities covering its area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Yes. Following reorganisation of local government in Scotland the new councils will be the police authority for their area. Where there will be a joint police board for a combined police area, each constituent authority will be represented on the joint board.

  Police
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what Scottish Office guidelines there are about what percentage of a police force may be employed in specialist branches such as CID and CIB.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no guidelines. The deployment of staff within forces is an operational matter for chief constables.

  Bills (Prompt Payment)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the prompt payment of bills by the Scottish Office.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department's policy regarding the prompt payment of bills is that the timing of payments should be in accordance with contract terms and conditions. Where there is no contractual provision or other understanding or accepted practice governing the timing of payment, the policy is to pay within 30 days of receipt of goods or services or the presentation of a valid invoice or similar demand for payment, whichever is the later.

  My Department carries out annual checks of payment performance and the results for the last three financial years, set out as follows, show a steady improvement in the percentage of payments made early or on time.

  Year

  Percentage of payments paid early or on-time

  1991–92

  82

  1992–93

  85

  1993–94

  89

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans his Department has(a) to utilise the Internet, (b) to make available on the Internet press releases and other departmental information to which the public may wish to have access and (c) to use the Internet as a means of increasing the openness of his Department.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department has very recently begun to evaluate the use of the Internet for the exchange of
  95
  scientific and research information. News releases are sent electronically to the Central Office of Information for inclusion in on-line databases which are accessible to users of the Internet. There are no plans at present for further use of the Internet.

  Monklands District Council
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 481–82, if he will list those outside Monklands district council to whom the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has written seeking evidence about alleged corruption of Monklands district council.

  Mr. Stewart
  None of the Scottish Office Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State—in their capacity as Scottish Office Ministers—has written to anyone seeking evidence concerning the alleged corruption at Monklands district council.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many people aged(a) between 15 and 17 years, (b) between 18 and 21 years and (c) 22 years and over were received into Scottish Prison Service establishments in each of the past four years;

  (2) if he will list the number of people received into Scottish Prison Service establishments for each of the past four years by type of prisoner and length of sentence;

  (3) how many untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners were received into Scottish Prison Service establishments over each of the past four years; and if he will break down the figure by age, sex, type of custody and outcome of court proceedings;

  (4) how many people were received into Scottish prison establishments in default of a fine over each of the past 10 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 5 May 1994]Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 10 May 1994:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Questions about the number and type of prisoners received into Scottish penal establishments. This reply deals with Questions 110, 113, 116 and 121. The available information is given in the tables below.
  PQ110: The number of persons aged 15–17 years, 18–21 years and 22 years and over who were received into Scottish penal establishments in each of the past four years.

  Table 1: Remand receptions (Note 1)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Young offender

  7,066

  4,750

  4,641

  4,487

  Adult

  8,102

  8,377

  8,905

  8,925

  Table 2: Sentenced receptions (Note 2)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Age

  15–17

  961

  856

  975

  957

  18–21

  4,850

  4,559

  5,325

  5,373

  22 and over

  11,320

  12,809

  13,665

  15,827

  96
  PQ 113: The number of people received into Scottish penal establishments in each of the past four years by type of prisoner and length of sentence.

  Table 3: Adult receptions by sentence length (Note 2)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Less than 6 months

  10,353

  11,777

  12,338

  14,149

  More than 6 months but less than 18 months

  1,595

  1,686

  1,937

  2,192

  More than 18 months but less than 4 years

  490

  476

  491

  639

  4 years and over (including life)

  318

  354

  420

  461

  Table 4: Young offender receptions by sentence length (Note 2)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Less than 6 months

  3,511

  3,080

  3,725

  3,549

  More than 6 months but less than 18 months

  656

  652

  791

  821

  More than 18 months but less than 4 years

  147

  144

  179

  261

  4 years and over (including life)

  61

  55

  84

  85

  PQ 116: The number of untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners received into Scottish penal establishments over each of the past four years' categorised by age, sex, type of custody and outcome of court proceedings.

  Table 5: Adult remand receptions to Scottish penal establishments by sex (Notes 2 and 3)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Untried:

  Male

  7,171

  7,471

  7,973

  7,831

  Female

  560

  553

  543

  632

  Convicted awaiting sentence

  Male

  355

  339

  319

  385

  Female

  16

  14

  70

  77

  Table 6: Young offender remand receptions to Scottish penal establishments by sex (Notes 1 and 3)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Untried:

  Male

  4,857

  3,433

  3,414

  3,305

  Female

  237

  184

  187

  185

  Convicted awaiting sentence

  Male

  1,940

  1,117

  1,016

  957

  Female

  32

  16

  24

  40

  PQ 123: The number of people received into Scottish penal establishments in default of a fine over each of the past 10 years.

  Table 7: Fine defaulter receptions to Scottish penal establishments (Note 2)

  Number

  1984

  8,883

  1985

  11,564

  1986

  10,626

  1987

  10,983

  1988

  9,714

  1989

  9,154

  1990

  6,835

  1991

  7,909

  97

  Number

  1992

  8,339

  1993

  9,657

  Notes:

  1. Only limited information is collected centrally in relation to the detail of remand receptions. The system does not provide an individual's age or details on the outcome of court proceedings of those previously remanded. Young offenders are those aged under 21 on reception.

  2. Sentenced receptions do not equate to "persons received". For example, where a person has several custodial sentences imposed on him by one court in one day this is counted as one reception. However, where custodial sentences are imposed on a person by two or more courts in one day, two receptions are recorded. Also, if a person is reconvicted while serving a custodial sentence and a further custodial sentence is imposed, this is also regarded as a separate reception.

  3. The split between 'untried' and 'convicted awaiting sentence' should be treated with some caution because of variations in the information collected by some establishments.

  4. The 1993 figures are provisional and may be subject to revision.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 February,Official Report, columns 949–50, how many copies of the further and higher education charter have been requested; how many responses were made to the drugs and solvent misuse hotline and how many booklets were issued; what was the response to the national continence week telephone helpline; and how many follow-up inquiries have been received to the Offshore Europe exhibition and the Europartenariat Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 5 May 1994]: The details are:

  Further and Higher Education Charter
  Fifty-eight thousand nine hundred and thirty copies of the Further and Higher Education Charter have been issued so far.

  Drugs and Solvent Misuse
  Following the campaign this year, 2,635 calls were made to Drugline Scotland, and 3,032 requests were made for booklets.

  National Continence Week
  As a result of the publicity for National Continence Week, during March 1994 472 calls were received from members of the public, carers and health professionals by the national helpline. This was 250 per cent. of the normal monthly average. An increase in the number of calls received has continued throughout April.

  Offshore Europe Exhibition
  It is not always possible to relate specific company contacts to particular elements of The Scottish Office Industry Department's marketing programme. But at Offshore Europe officials responded to 420 requests for assistance and in addition directed a number of enquirers to other business support organisations.

  Europartenariat Scotland
  The success of Europartenariat Scotland is still being evaluated and enquiries arising from the event continue. Over 5,600 meetings with the 350 Scottish host companies took place during the event and Scottish Trade International, together with Local Enterprise Companies, is working closely with the Scottish host companies to assess the number of deals and agreements arising from those meetings and the other contacts made during Europartenariat Scotland. The organisation of the event has been highly praised and those involved are often approached for advice in running similar events in the rest of the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.

  Medical Consultants
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of medical consultants per head of population.
  98
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 April 1994]: There were 4.6 whole-time equivalent medical consultants per 10,000 population at 30 September 1993, the latest date for which information is available; this figure is provisional.

  NHS Computer Services
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of state for Scotland (1) what conclusions he has reached at this stage in his review of computer services in the NHS;

  (2) what is the scope of his review of computer services in the NHS;

  (3) when he expects to complete his review of computer services in the NHS;

  (4) which individuals and bodies he is consulting for his review of computer services in the NHS.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: A group representing health boards and NHS trusts has been established to take forward the review of computer services in the NHS in Scotland. It is expected that the group will make recommendations to the chief executive by the end of June 1994. The scope of the review encompasses computer operations and applications sofware support and development. The group will be consulting with NHS trusts and health boards.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which health boards have sought assistance from computer consultants in the past five years; for what length of time; at what cost in each case; and with what improvements in efficiency on savings as a result.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: This information is not held centrally.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current value of investment in software for computer services in the NHS.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: In 1994–95 approximately £28 million was made available from central funds to assist health boards and NHS trusts in the purchase and development of computer hardware and software. In addition, health boards and trusts are able to make investments from their own resources but information is not held centrally on the value of such investments.

  Ambulance Service
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his future plans for the Scottish ambulance service; and what scope his policy includes for(a) market testing or (b) privatisation.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: The Scottish ambulance service has prepared an application for NHS trust status which will be considered following the process of public consultation.

  From 1 April 1995, subject to existing contractual arrangements with the Scottish ambulance service, health boards and NHS trusts may invite other suppliers to tender for the provision of non-emergency patient transport services. There are no plans to seek provision of accident and emergency services from suppliers other than the Scottish ambulance service.

  Common Services Agency
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to keep the Common Services Agency's building division within the public sector;

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Common Services Agency's board on future plans for the Common Services Agency's building division;

  (3) if he will estimate the costs and savings that would result from privatisation of the Common Services Agency's building division;

  (4) what plans he has for the future of the work force in the Common Services Agency's building division;

  (5) what consultations he has had, or is planning to have, with those who are clients of the Common Services Agency's building division.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 25 March his agreement in principle that the opportunity should be taken to invite tenders for a management buy-out or from the private sector to take over the building division of the Common Services Agency. There has been no change in this position.

  The board of the Common Services Agency has given regular consideration to the building division and its future. The board is taking forward the proposals for privatisation of the division. It is not possible to quantify the benefits to the NHS until the tender process has been completed and bids evaluated. The Common Services Agency will invite tenders for the division as a going concern. Staffing is therefore a matter for the successful tenderer.

  The building division of the Common Services Agency has been fee earning and competing with private firms for NHS work for the past three years. It is not necessary to consult NHS clients who will continue to be able to obtain the appropriate service from the successful tenderer or from another commercial source.

  Privatisation (Consultants)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in which his Department has been engaged since 1980.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 4 May 1994]: As recorded in the relevant National Audit Office reports my Department paid advisers fees of £19.6 million and £0.4 million respectively for services in connection with the sale of the Scottish Electricity companies and the Scottish Bus Group. The proceeds of the sales came to well over £3 billion.

  Number of pupils for whom statements of special educational needs were made for the first time1

  Number of pupils who were assessed but not issued with a statement2

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1991

  1992

  Clwyd

  213

  264

  318

  251

  251

  10

  25

  Dyfed

  121

  193

  225

  272

  397

  22

  7

  Gwent

  463

  338

  402

  480

  497

  1

  2

  Gwynedd

  99

  133

  130

  205

  178

  12

  31

  Mid Glamorgan

  643

  543

  490

  545

  583

  36

  60

  Powys

  30

  78

  120

  134

  55

  7

  7

  South Glamorgan

  174

  243

  184

  215

  274

  28

  29

  West Glamorgan

  304

  307

  358

  354

  415

  87

  55

WALES

  Palace Close, Flint
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 96, (1) what response his officials have received from the National House Building Council with regard to complaints about inspections of properties at Palace close, Flint;

  (2) if he will meet residents of Palace close, Flint, to discuss their concerns about the performance of the National House Building Council with regard to inspection of their properties;

  (3) if he will instigate an investigation into building control inspection with regard to properties at Palace close, Flint, Clwyd;

  (4) when a report was submitted to his Department from Clwyd fire service in relation to building regulation 1985 schedule 1 with regard to properties at Palace close, Flint.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has no powers to supervise or regulate an approved inspector in the discharge of its functions in relation to individual cases and he has not commissioned a report from the Clwyd fire service.

  NHBC Building Control Services Ltd. has a statutory duty under regulation 10 of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 1985 to ensure that all work inspected by them as approved inspectors conforms with the building regulations. NHBC has assured me that they have every intention of doing everything necessary to discharge that duty. The Building Act 1984 provides for reference to the courts where an approved inspector has acted improperly. In cases of dispute, home owners have recourse to conciliation and independent arbitration procedures under NHBC warranty arrangements, but this is entirely a matter for the NHBC.

  In all these circumstances a meeting would not be appropriate.

  Special Educational Need
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children in each local education authority were assessed for statements of special educational need in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those children received statements.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Full information on assessments is not collected centrally. The number of pupils who received a statement of special education needs for the first time in each local education authority and the number assessed but not issued with a statement are shown in the table.
  101
  1 The numbers of pupils for whom statements were made for the first time may include a number of pupils receiving statements who had been assessed during the previous calendar year and exclude a number who while having been assessed, are awaiting receipt of their statement.

  2Prior to 1991 this information was not collected.

  Mobile Telephones and Pagers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by his Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department has in operation 123 portable telephones, 21 pagers and electronic bleepers and two car telephones. The running costs of the equipment in 1993–94 were £24,429. Portable communication systems have been made available for use by Ministers, senior officials and others who are regularly engaged in official business away from the office and need to maintain contact with the Department and/or other organisations. Eighty one of the portable telephones are held specifically for issue on a temporary basis to officials who might need them while on official business and while working or travelling in areas where standard telephones may not be readily available.

  Land Authority for Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the occasions when the Land Authority for Wales has used its compulsory purchase powers in the last five years; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the applications for compulsory purchase currently being pursued by the Land Authority for Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The compulsory purchase orders made by the land authority since 1988 are given in the table:

  Land Authority for Wales (Land at Mostyn Street, Llandudno) Compulsory Purchase Order 1988.

  Land Authority for Wales (Queen Street/Working Street, Cardiff) Compulsory Purchase Order 1988.

  Land Authority for Wales (Greyfriars Redevelopment, Carmarthen) Compulsory Purchase Order 1988.

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  Local Authority

  1992–93 (at 1994–95 prices) (a) £

  1994–95 (Current prices) (b) £

  Percentage Change

  Aberconwy

  1,701,197

  1,685,231

  -0.9

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,706,548

  2,749,532

  1.6

  Arfon

  3,159,987

  2,877,908

  -8.9

  Blaenau Gwent

  11,571,250

  11,111,674

  -4.0

  Brecknock

  767,778

  707,901

  -7.8

  Cardiff

  20,818,346

  21,600,204

  3.8

  Carmarthen

  2,698,949

  2,176,051

  -19.4

  Ceredigion

  2,035,634

  1,744,286

  -14.3

  Colwyn

  2,265,533

  2,218,740

  -2.1

  Cynon Valley

  5,312,351

  4,752,984

  -10.5

  Delyn

  3,887,413

  *

  *

  Dinefwr

  1,338,639

  897,071

  -33.0

  Dwyfor

  902,725

  928,694

  2.9

  Glyndwr

  888,939

  653,273

  -26.5

  Islwyn

  5,765,274

  5,588,479

  -3.1

  Llanelli

  7,564,489

  8,194,581

  8.3

  Lliw Valley

  4,626,932

  3,690,814

  -20.2

  Meirionnydd

  1,139,356

  980,299

  -14.0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  7,376,127

  7,789,436

  5.6

  Monmouth

  4,069,340

  3,609,593

  -11.3

  Montgomeryshire

  715,718

  *

  *

  Neath

  5,128,501

  5,431,585

  5.9

  102

  Land Authority for Wales (Castle Park Redevelopment, Caerphilly) Compulsory Purchase Order 1989.

  Land Authority for Wales (Land at Ynys-y-Plwm, Llantrisant) Compulsory Purchase Order 1991.

  Land Authority for Wales (Land at North Pentwyn) Compulsory Purchaster Order 1992.

  Land Authority for Wales (Land off Tyn-y-Bryn Road, Tonyrefail) Compulsory Purchase Order 1992.

  Land Authority for Wales (Land at Maes-y-Bryn/Tyn-y-Gwern, North Pentwyn) Compulsory Purchase Order 1993.

  Land Authority for Wales (Land adjacent to Broad Close, Pontypridd Road, Barry) Compulsory Purchases Order 1994.

  Land Authority for Wales (Lion Street and Bethel Square, Brecon) Compulsory Purchases Order 1993.

  Land Authority for Wales (Land to the South West of West Terrace, Penarth) Compulsory Purchase Order 1993.

  Land Authority for Wales (Cefn Hirgoed, Bridgend and Bridgend Northern Distributor Road) Compulsory Purchase Order
  1994.

  The last three are subject to confirmation.

  Lamb Losses
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what figures are available for financial losses to farmers resulting from extreme weather conditions during the 1993–94 lambing season.

  Mr. Redwood
  None. Farm income data are derived from the farm business survey which collects data on a March to February financial year basis. Provisional income figures for 1994–95 will not be available until the autumn.

  Housing Finance
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of housing revenue account subsidy for 1992–93 and 1994–95 for each district council and for Wales as a whole, in constant prices, indicating the percentage change in each case.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The amount of housing revenue account subsidy claimed by local authorities in constant (1994–95) prices is given where available in the table:
  103

  Local Authority

  1992–93 (at 1994–95 prices) (a) £

  1994–95 (Current prices) (b) £

  Percentage Change

  Newport

  12,074,472

  10,413,293

  -13.8

  Ogwr

  8,260,628

  7,315,393

  -11.4

  Port Talbot

  5,100,295

  5,179,763

  1.6

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  2,959,354

  2,918,254

  -1.4

  Radnorshire

  596,482

  432,666

  -27.5

  Rhondda

  9,259,418

  8,350,844

  -9.8

  Rhuddlan

  1,422,069

  1,609,798

  13.2

  Rhymney Valley

  11,687,268

  11,482,000

  -1.8

  South Pembrokeshire

  1,763,496

  1,444,414

  -18.1

  Swansea

  17,205,861

  18,102,741

  5.2

  Taff Ely

  7,450,938

  6,757,252

  -9.3

  Torfaen

  14,085,751

  12,500,222

  -11.3

  Vale of Glamorgan

  4,027,592

  3,304,096

  -18.0

  Wrexham Maelor

  7,514,704

  7,472,127

  -0.6

  Ynys Mon

  4,630,014

  4,383,832

  -5.3

  WALES

  204,479,369

  *

  *

  (a) Audit Final Subsidy Claims for 1992–93.

  (b) First Advance Subsidy Claims for 1994–95 except for Delyn and Montgomeryshire which have not been received.

  Conservation
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many proposed Ramsar sites there are in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are six proposed R.amsar sites in Wales, the details of which are shown:

  Site Name

  County

  1. Carmarthen Bay

  Dyfed

  2. Cors Fochno and Dyfi (extension of existing boundary)

  Gwynedd, Powys, Dyfed

  3. Corsydd Mon/Llyn

  Gwynedd

  4. Midland Meres and Mosses1

  Clwyd, Cheshire, Shropshire, Stafford

  5. Migneint and Cwm Hesgyn

  Gwynedd

  6. Lower Severn Estuary1

  South Glamorgan, Gwent, Somerset, Avon, Gloucester

  1Cross border site

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many prescriptions were dispensed, and how many were exempt from charges, for each year since 1988.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Number of prescriptions dispensed

  Thousands

  Year

  Total

  1 Number exempt

  1988–89

  28,840

  23,443

  1989–90

  29,366

  24,510

  1990–91

  30,033

  25,219

  1991–92

  31,634

  26,786

  1992–93

  32,888

  28,042

  1 Includes pre-paid certificates.

  Llanelli
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the inspector's report of the public inquiry he held in Llanelli in November 1993 into aspects of the proposals to redevelop the town centre of Llanelli.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The inspector's report is expected to be submitted for consideration in June 1994.

  Asthma
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) of 25 April,Official Report, column 52, when he expects to be able to give the figures for asthma cases in Mid-Glamorgan and West Glamorgan district health authorities for the years 1991–92, and 1992–93; and if he will publish them as soon as possible after they are available to him.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information for 1991–92 and 1992–93 given in the answer of 25 April to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) was based on data supplied by hospitals for the patient episode database for Wales, and for those districts for which the information is sufficiently complete. Data for some hospitals in Mid Glamorgan and West Glamorgan for these years are not yet sufficiently complete. Summary information from the database will be published once more complete information is received from the hospitals concerned.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in NHS hospitals in Wales have had to wait longer than four hours for a bed if admitted to a ward following an assessment or treatment in a casualty department during the last five years; and if he will list the hospitals in which the incidents occured.

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally, though a recent review of performance indicates that patients in Wales can generally expect to wait between 25 minutes and four hours for a bed following assessment or treatment in a casualty department.
  105
  I want the NHS in Wales to do better than this and in the summer I will announce a new patients charter standard covering performance in this area. Performance against this standard will be monitored quarterly.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total cash allocation for health authorities in Wales in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The total cash allocations to health authorities in Wales in these years were as follows:

  £ million

  1992–93

  1,470,438

  1993–94

  1,400,863

  The figures for 1993–94 are not comparable to those for 1992–93 because of several changes, in particular capital resourses were made available to NHS trusts which in 1993–94 increased to 14 in number. Training costs of professions allied to medicine were allocated to the newly created education and purchasing unit of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, and resources were transferred from health authorities allocations to GP fundholders.

  Welsh Jazz
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent on the promotion of jazz in Wales in each of the last 10 years; and how much his Department expects to spend on the promotion of jazz in Wales in the next two years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally. The funding of music and other art forms is a matter for the Arts Council of Wales, previously the Welsh Arts Council.

  European Regional Funding
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the allocation of European regional development fund funding to each district council in Wales during 1992–93; and what account was taken of this funding in the allocation of capital charges SSA for each district council in 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of £46.5 million of ERDF money was allocated to district councils in Wales under the structural funds programmes which spanned the years 1992–93. Details of allocations to individual authorities are given in the following table.

  European regional development fund grants received by councils in 1992 and 1993 were not taken into account in calculating standard spending assessments in 1993–94. They were taken into account in calculating SSAs for 1994–95.

  ERDF funding provided to Welsh district councils between 1992–93

  £

  Industrial South Wales OP 1992–93

  Rhymney Valley District Council

  338,725

  Dinefwr Borough Council

  384,750

  LLanelli Borough Council

  2,310,411

  Blaenau Gwent Borough Council

  184,516

  106

  £

  Islwyn Borough Council

  1,703,400

  Monmouth Borough Council

  37,836

  Newport Borough Council

  1,284,195

  Torfaen Borough Council

  1,670,682

  Cynon Valley Borough Council

  428,500

  Ogwr Borough Council

  27,500

  Rhondda Borough Council

  873,450

  Taff Ely Borough Council

  122,500

  Cardiff City Council

  82,134

  Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council

  336,300

  Port Talbot Borough Council

  69,151

  Lliw Valley Borough Council

  40,000

  Swansea City Council

  3,292,910

  RECHAR OP

  Rhymney Valley District Council

  56,250

  Carmarthen District Council

  56,250

  Dinefwr Borough Council

  475,213

  Llanelli Borough Council

  757,820

  Blaenau Gwent Borough Council

  2,770,682

  Islwyn Borough Council

  1,072,492

  Torfaen Borough Council

  1,435,660

  Cynon Valley Borough Council

  1,642,086

  Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council

  160,984

  Ogwr Borough Council

  1,402,832

  Rhondda Borough Council

  1,531,216

  Taff Ely Borough Council

  350,290

  Brecknock Borough Council

  102,694

  Port Talbot Borough Council

  331,868

  Lliw Valley Borough Council

  320,060

  Neath Borough Council

  1,650,797

  Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys OP 1992–93

  Carmarthen District Council

  445,800

  Ceredigion District Council

  407,063

  Preseli Pembs District Council

  531,250

  South Pembs District Council

  1,300,681

  Dwyfor District Council

  1,559,102

  Meirionnydd District Council

  151,290

  Montgomeryshire District Council

  1,103,500

  Radnorshire District Council

  162,500

  Dinefwr Borough Council

  111,838

  Arfon Borough Council

  2,416,214

  Ynys Mon Borough Council

  5,274

  Brecknock Borough Council

  1,776,500

  Clwyd OP 1992–93

  Alyn and Deeside District Council

  142,400

  Colwyn Borough Council

  171,200

  Delyn Borough Council

  1,474,534

  Rhuddlan Borough Council

  6,051,070

  Wrexham Maelor Borough Council

  1,444,025

  Total

  46,558,395

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision was made in the cash allocation for health authorities in Wales in 1993–94 for the change in regulations governing statutory sick pay announced in the Budget in November 1993.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There has been no specific provision. Overall authorities in Wales have benefited from increases in their discretionary allocations—2.2 per cent. in 1993–94 and 2.8 per cent. in 1994–95. These cash increases, together with the efficiency savings that authorities have been required to achieve in their contacts with service providers, should have been more than sufficient to meet all pay and non-pay cost increases. Patient activity is expected to increase by more than 4 per cent. in the current financial year.

  Local Government
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date his predecessor sent the draft White Paper, "Local Government in Wales—a Charter for the Future", to other members of the Cabinet seeking their agreement to its publication; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is not the practice to give details of internal discussions on policy formulation.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish his estimate of total funding for grant-maintained schools for each county and for Wales as a whole for each financial year between 1993–94 and 1996–97; and if he will make a statement on the likely decrease in funding in consequence of new funding rules on the lines of those introduced by the Department for Education in England.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: The details for 1993–94 and 1994–95 are given in the following table. Funding for the grant-maintained sector in 1995–96 and 1996–97 has yet to be decided.

  1 1993–94 Provisional outturn

  1 1994–95 Estimated outturn

  Clwyd

  8,569,012

  10,575,910

  Dyfed

  0

  0

  Gwent

  4,659,396

  5,898,099

  Gwynedd

  451,675

  729,767

  Mid Glamorgan

  0

  0

  Powys

  72,909

  167,415

  South Glamorgan

  4,200,692

  9,722,275

  West Glamorgan

  3,352,253

  2,911,750

  WALES

  21,305,937

  30,005,216

  1 This covers annual maintenance grant, special purpose grants, and capital grants.

  Decisions on funding in England do not apply to grant-maintained schools in Wales.

  Students
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each county and for Wales as a whole for the last available year(a) the number of students aged

  LEA

  School

  Grant-maintained status

  Cumbria

  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Kirkbie Kendal School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  St. Aidan's High School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Hayton CE Grant-Maintained School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Trinity School, Carlisle

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Scotby CE Grant-Maintained Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  The Queen Katherine School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Appleby Grammar School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Harraby School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Dallam School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Kirkby Stephen Grammar School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Parkview School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Warwick Bridge (GM) Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Cartmel Priory CE School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Brampton Junior School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  St. Paul's CE Junior School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Broughton Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Eaglesfield Paddle CE Primary School

  Operating

  108
  19 years and over who are receiving further education and (b) the estimated proportion of those students aged 19 years and over in further education who are not receiving grants.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: The latest information on awards received under section 2 of the Education Act 1962 is for 1991–92. The table gives the number of students aged 19 and over who were on further education courses at colleges in Wales, by their county of usual residence, the number of people aged 19 and over receiving awards from each local authority and the difference between these numbers expressed as a percentage of student numbers. The number of students receiving awards includes some studying outside Wales and therefore not included in the student totals.

  Welsh students aged 19 and over on Further Education courses in Wales, 1991–92

  County of usual residence

  Student numbers (a)

  Award numbers

  Students less awards as percentage of students

  Clwyd

  5,481

  1,498

  73

  Dyfed

  4,945

  1,246

  75

  Gwent

  8,460

  65

  99

  Gwynedd

  3,992

  346

  91

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,999

  1,303

  87

  Powys

  2,620

  345

  87

  South Glamorgan

  5,349

  218

  96

  West Glamorgan

  8,972

  429

  95

  Wales

  49,818

  5,450

  89

  (a) Covers students at further and higher education colleges and includes those of unstated age. Excludes students studying outside Wales.

EDUCATION

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the schools in the counties of Northumberland, Cumbria, Durham, Cleveland and the metropolitan boroughs of Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland who have obtained grant-maintained status or have applied for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is as follows:
  109

  LEA

  School

  Grant-maintained status

  Cumbria

  Askam Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Dearham Grant-Maintained Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Queen Elizabeth School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Flookburgh (CE GM) Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Heversham CE Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Gilsland CE Primary School (Grant Maintained)

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Ireleth St. Peter's CE GM Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Bowness-On-Solway Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Appleby Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Dalton St. Mary's CE Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Hallbankgate (Grant-Maintained) Primary School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  William Howard School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Caldew School

  Operating

  Cumbria

  Eden School

  Rejected

  Cumbria

  Fir Ends School

  Proposals published

  Cumbria

  Orton CE Primary School

  Proposals published

  North Tyneside

  Wellifield Middle School (Grant Maintained)

  Operating

  North Tyneside

  Ralph Gardner High School

  Rejected

  North Tyneside

  Monkseaton Village First School

  Rejected

  Northumberland

  Astley High School

  Operating

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) primary and (b) secondary schools there were in each local education authority area on 1 April; in each case, how many had held ballots on grant-maintained status; how many ballots had resulted in

  Primary

  Secondary

  LEA

  All Schools

  GM Schools

  Total Ballots

  "Yes" Votes

  "No" Votes

  All Schools

  GM Schools

  Total Ballots

  "Yes" Votes

  "No" Votes

  Avon

  369

  —

  5

  —

  5

  60

  2

  4

  2

  2

  Barking

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Barnet

  89

  2

  6

  2

  4

  21

  10

  11

  10

  1

  Barnsley

  96

  —

  1

  1

  —

  15

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Bedfordshire

  218

  3

  3

  3

  —

  71

  10

  19

  11

  8

  Berkshire

  275

  7

  10

  7

  3

  59

  10

  16

  13

  3

  Bexley

  64

  3

  4

  3

  1

  17

  5

  6

  5

  1

  Birmingham

  336

  6

  11

  6

  5

  79

  17

  24

  17

  7

  Bolton

  105

  1

  1

  1

  —

  16

  3

  3

  3

  —

  Bradford

  167

  3

  9

  7

  2

  88

  6

  8

  6

  2

  Brent

  64

  3

  4

  4

  —

  13

  10

  14

  12

  2

  Bromley

  78

  3

  7

  6

  1

  17

  12

  14

  13

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  290

  6

  9

  7

  2

  45

  10

  11

  10

  1

  Bury

  71

  1

  2

  1

  1

  14

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Calderdale

  91

  4

  5

  4

  1

  16

  7

  11

  8

  3

  Cambridgeshire

  267

  6

  9

  7

  2

  44

  16

  25

  17

  8

  Camden

  41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  2

  3

  2

  1

  Cheshire

  454

  3

  9

  6

  3

  68

  3

  11

  4

  7

  Cleveland

  203

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Cornwall

  249

  —

  1

  1

  —

  31

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Corporation of London

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Coventry

  109

  —

  1

  —

  1

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Croydon

  98

  2

  5

  3

  2

  20

  7

  11

  9

  2

  Cumbria

  306

  17

  27

  21

  6

  42

  14

  15

  15

  —

  Derbyshire

  450

  7

  14

  8

  6

  61

  14

  25

  15

  10

  Devon

  442

  1

  10

  2

  8

  64

  6

  10

  6

  4

  Doncaster

  127

  —

  5

  4

  1

  34

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Dorset

  200

  1

  2

  1

  1

  56

  10

  16

  14

  2

  Dudley

  83

  1

  1

  1

  —

  22

  6

  9

  7

  2

  Durham

  298

  —

  —

  —

  —

  43

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Ealing

  92

  4

  4

  4

  —

  13

  5

  8

  6

  2

  East Sussex

  219

  —

  1

  —

  1

  34

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Enfield

  70

  1

  4

  1

  3

  17

  5

  6

  5

  1

  Essex

  581

  72

  79

  73

  6

  105

  69

  77

  72

  5

  Gateshead

  82

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Gloucestershire

  262

  11

  18

  17

  1

  43

  27

  36

  30

  6

  Greenwich

  79

  1

  1

  1

  —

  15

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Hackney

  70

  1

  1

  1

  —

  10

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Hammersmith

  38

  —

  1

  1

  —

  10

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Hampshire

  580

  13

  21

  18

  3

  94

  18

  24

  19

  5

  Haringey

  77

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Harrow

  54

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1

  2

  1

  1

  Havering

  74

  —

  2

  —

  2

  19

  4

  7

  4

  3

  Hereford and Worcester

  288

  —

  2

  —

  2

  76

  5

  8

  5

  3

  110
  votes in favour of seeking grant-maintained status; how many ballots had resulted in votes against seeking grant-maintained status; and how many schools were operating as grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 4 May 1994]: The information requested is in the table:
  111

  Primary

  Secondary

  LEA

  All Schools

  GM Schools

  Total Ballots

  "Yes" Votes

  "No" Votes

  All Schools

  GM Schools

  Total Ballots

  "Yes" Votes

  "No" Votes

  Hertfordshire

  432

  9

  15

  12

  3

  88

  23

  32

  27

  5

  Hillingdon

  72

  11

  11

  11

  —

  15

  12

  15

  14

  1

  Hounslow

  62

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  2

  3

  2

  1

  Humberside

  354

  2

  5

  3

  2

  60

  —

  4

  —

  4

  Isle of Wight

  46

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Isles of Scilly

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Islington

  57

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  27

  2

  2

  2

  —

  4

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Kent

  570

  18

  27

  25

  2

  136

  62

  75

  71

  4

  Kingston upon Thames

  36

  1

  1

  1

  —

  10

  4

  4

  4

  —

  Kirklees

  158

  —

  2

  —

  2

  34

  2

  5

  3

  2

  Knowsley

  68

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1

  3

  1

  2

  Lambeth

  77

  5

  8

  8

  —

  10

  5

  5

  5

  —

  Lancashire

  605

  2

  5

  3

  2

  106

  8

  16

  9

  7

  Leeds

  249

  1

  3

  1

  2

  46

  1

  3

  1

  2

  Leicestershire

  334

  —

  2

  —

  2

  79

  5

  10

  5

  5

  Lewisham

  72

  1

  1

  1

  —

  13

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Lincolnshire

  293

  23

  31

  27

  4

  63

  24

  30

  29

  1

  Liverpool

  198

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36

  3

  7

  4

  3

  Manchester

  174

  —

  —

  —

  —

  28

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Merton

  49

  —

  1

  —

  1

  11

  —

  2

  1

  1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  82

  —

  1

  —

  1

  22

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Newham

  67

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Norfolk

  397

  13

  21

  17

  4

  52

  12

  16

  12

  4

  North Tyneside

  61

  —

  2

  1

  1

  26

  1

  3

  2

  1

  North Yorkshire

  394

  —

  3

  1

  2

  59

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Northamptonshire

  270

  9

  14

  10

  4

  65

  12

  21

  14

  7

  Northumberland

  143

  —

  —

  —

  —

  61

  1

  3

  1

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  426

  —

  1

  —

  1

  82

  3

  9

  4

  5

  Oldham

  104

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Oxfordshire

  241

  1

  1

  1

  —

  44

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Redbridge

  56

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  1

  2

  1

  1

  Richmond upon Thames

  39

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rochdale

  76

  4

  8

  5

  3

  14

  1

  3

  1

  2

  Rotherham

  115

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Salford

  88

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18

  1

  4

  1

  3

  Sandwell

  112

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  1

  5

  2

  3

  Sefton

  94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  22

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Sheffield

  164

  6

  17

  15

  2

  32

  2

  8

  6

  2

  Shropshire

  214

  1

  5

  5

  —

  37

  5

  7

  7

  —

  Solihull

  70

  1

  1

  1

  —

  13

  —

  2

  1

  1

  Somerset

  229

  2

  5

  3

  2

  39

  1

  3

  2

  1

  South Tyneside

  58

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southwark

  75

  5

  5

  5

  —

  14

  5

  5

  5

  —

  St. Helens

  72

  —

  1

  1

  —

  12

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Staffordshire

  414

  2

  4

  3

  1

  85

  5

  11

  5

  6

  Stockport

  110

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Suffolk

  255

  —

  —

  —

  —

  77

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Sunderland

  105

  —

  —

  —

  —

  17

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  372

  13

  23

  21

  2

  51

  13

  16

  15

  1

  Sutton

  43

  3

  4

  3

  1

  14

  8

  8

  8

  —

  Tameside

  82

  —

  1

  —

  1

  18

  3

  5

  3

  2

  Tower Hamlets

  73

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15

  1

  2

  1

  1

  Trafford

  78

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16

  4

  6

  4

  2

  Wakefield

  130

  —

  2

  2

  —

  38

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Walsall

  106

  2

  3

  2

  1

  21

  6

  11

  7

  4

  Waltham Forest

  61

  —

  1

  —

  1

  16

  2

  2

  2

  —

  Wandsworth

  72

  2

  5

  3

  2

  10

  6

  8

  7

  1

  Warwickshire

  244

  —

  5

  3

  2

  37

  8

  9

  8

  1

  West Sussex

  246

  —

  1

  1

  —

  41

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Westminster

  42

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Wigan

  125

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Wiltshire

  294

  12

  21

  18

  3

  44

  16

  24

  16

  8

  Wirral

  106

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21

  2

  4

  2

  2

  Wolverhampton

  101

  —

  1

  —

  1

  20

  3

  6

  5

  1

  Notes:

  1. Numbers of schools are derived from the latest available Index of Educational Establishments which relates to Spring Term 1994.

  2. "All Schools" comprise maintained primary and secondary schools eligible for grant-maintained status.

  3. "Total Ballots" includes a small number at schools which have held more than one ballot.

  Science and Technology
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to encourage students to study science and technology.
  113
  Mr. Boswell
  The introduction of general national vocational qualifications in engineering and science will provide high-quality alternatives to GCE A-levels and additional routes for students wishing to acquire scientific skills. Changes in the fee structure for universities and colleges offer an incentive to offer relatively more places in science and technology. Fees for laboratory and workshop-based courses will continue to be significantly higher than those for classroom-based courses. We are also introducing an engineering bursary scheme which will provide an additional £500 a year to those entering accredited engineering degree courses in autumn 1994, 1995 and 1996 who have achieved grades AAB at A-level or its equivalent.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of current undergraduate university students attend universities within 20 miles of their home.

  Mr. Boswell
  Information is not collected centrally about the distance that students travel to their university or college.

  In the academic year 1992–93, 35 per cent.—195,500 —of English domiciled students on higher education undergraduate courses in English institutions were either attending a new university or further education college in the LEA or region in which they were domiciled, or were attending a former Universities Funding Council—funded institution and living in parental, marital or student-owned accommodation.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has(a) to utilise the Internet, (b) to make available on the Internet press releases and other departmental information which the public may wish to have access to and (c) to use the Internet as a means of increasing the openness of his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department's press releases issued electronically through the Central Office of Information are accessible to users of the Internet via Data-Star Dialog (Europe) or Mead/Lexis/Nexis. They are also available to subscribers to FT Profile, Reuters Textline and to POLIS.

  The Department's press releases are also made available through the COI's fax retrieval service, details of which can be provided by its distribution service.

  I have no further plans to use the Internet directly.

  Mr. David Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will list the private and independent schools that have been inspected by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools or OFSTED in the past five years, giving the date of the inspection, where the inspection led to a published report.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [pursuant to his reply 15 March 1994, c. 626–27]: Those independent schools which received an HMI inspection between 1 September 1989 and 31 August 1992 which led to published reports are listed. This corrects the information given in the earlier reply.
  114

  School name

  Date of visit

  Nanhurst School

  30 October 1989

  Wells Cathedral School

  27 November 1989

  Hyland House School

  12 March 1990

  Summerhill School

  12 May 1990

  Hilsea College

  18 June 1990

  Small School at Red House

  2 October 1990

  Oaktree House School

  11 June 1990

  Small school, Winestead

  4 December 1990

  Covenant School

  8 October 1990

  Madina Tul Uloom Al Islamiya

  8 May 1990 and 19 July 1990

  Darul Uloom Islamic School

  26 November 1990

  Christ The King School

  4 February 1991

  Duke of York's Military School

  25 February 1991

  Hounslow College and Hounslow College Prep School

  21 May 1991

  Stonely Grange School

  14 October 1991

  Rodney School

  3 June 1991

ENVIRONMENT

  Compulsary Purchase Orders
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are using compulsory purchase orders to purchase private sector houses which are standing empty.

  Sir George Young
  Since 1 January 1993, 31 local authorities have submitted compulsory orders for the acquistion of empty houses. This does not include local authorities who have submitted clearance compulsory purchase orders.

  Housing
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what precautions have been taken to ensure that under the Housing (Right to Manage) Regulations 1994 minority groups are not discriminated against in the event of a hostile majority taking over management of tenancies.

  Sir George Young
  Minority groups are protected under the Housing (Right to Manage) Regulations 1994 and associated guidance in a number of ways.

  Any tenant affected by the right to manage proposal notice may become a member of the tenant management organisation—TMO. The TMO must, in the conduct of its affairs, avoid discrimination against any person on grounds of racial origin, gender, sexuality, disability or religion.

  The approved agent who carries out the initial feasibility study under the right to manage is charged with ensuring that the TMO option is not pursued for discriminatory purposes. If, in his opinion, the TMO is not operating in accordance with its constitution, or is pursuing tenant management in order to exclude certain sections of the community, or if its committee or board is not reasonably representative of the community it serves and has no plans to remedy this, the agent is expected to submit an early report which brings the feasibility study to an end.

  The approved person is required to submit, within two years of his appointment, a report of the full feasibility study to the Secretary of State. This report sets out, inter alia, the agent's assessment of the TMO's competence to carry out the management responsibilities it wishes to take on from the local authority. The TMO must be able to

  115
  satisfy the agent that its committee is representative of the community it serves. Any TMO aspiring to take on the allocation of tenancies must do so within the framework of the local authority's policies and procedures, including those on equal opportunities.

  Local authorities have responsibility for monitoring the performance of TMOs, including their performance on equal opportunities.

  Building Materials
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what has been the value of imports of building materials into the United Kingdom for each of the past three years;

  (2) what percentage of building materials used in the United Kingdom is imported; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The value, in current prices, of imports of building materials into the United Kingdom are:

  Imports £ billions

  1990

  4.70

  1991

  4.03

  1992

  4.04

  1993

  13.01

  1 First three quarters only.

  The information used by the Department to derive imports is not yet available for the fourth quarter of 1993.

  Available data indicate that the value of imports are about a fifth of the total used by the construction industry. This excludes the DIY market and the black economy whose usage of building materials cannot be readily be quantified. The value of imports compares with exports of £2.31 billion during 1992 and £1.93 billion during the first three quarters of 1993.

  I am, however, concerned at the level of United Kingdom imports of high value construction products. The Department is currently working closely with the industry-led construction procurement group on a series of measures to improve competitiveness in building products.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision exists for objectors to a planning application to appeal against planning approval for the application.

  Mr. Baldry
  None.

  Rent Assessment Panels
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how a person applies, and to whom, to be considered as a member of a rent assessment panel.

  Sir George Young
  Candidates for membership may propose themselves to the Department, or to the president or vice-president of the panel. They may also be proposed by friends or colleagues, or identified by my Department, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the public appointments unit, or by panel presidents.
  116
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reviews have taken place as to the workings of rent assessment panels since the scheme was introduced.

  Sir George Young
  Since the formation of the rent assessment panels in 1965, they have been subject to the normal cycles of departmental administrative reviews applied to non-departmental public bodies. The most recent of those have been an internal audit report in 1990 and a financial management and policy review in 1991. Their adjudicative role was also considered within the context of the wider based civil justice review of 1988, undertaken by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the term of office that a member serves on a rent assessment panel.

  Sir George Young
  A new member is appointed for a period of up to three years, so as to terminate on the general review date for a similar class of member in that panel. Thereafter, the appointment is reviewed at three-yearly intervals. Members retire automatically in their 70th year.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what salary and allowances are paid to a member of a rent assessment panel.

  Sir George Young
  The daily fees payable to members of rent assessment panels when sitting on committees and tribunals are as follows:

  £

  Chairmen

  221

  Professional Members

  177

  Lay Members

  113

  Presidents and Vice-Presidents of panels are salaried and part-time and are paid an appropriate proportion of the following full-time annual rates according to their individual time commitment:

  £

  London President

  55,910

  London Vice-Presidents

  53,000

  Provincial Presidents

  53,730

  Provincial Vice-Presidents

  50,810

  Travel and subsistence allowances are paid, when appropriate, at civil service rates.

  Light Pollution
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he now has to combat pollution of the night sky by ground light; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am aware of the concerns, particularly of astronomers, about the adverse effects of "skyglow", which is caused when artificial light from the ground is scattered by dust particles and water droplets in the atmosphere.

  Light can be reflected upwards from a variety of sources, including street lighting and flood and security lighting of industrial, commercial and domestic premises.
  117
  Given the legitimate desire for roads and public areas to be well lit for security and amenity reasons, there is a limit to how much of this reflected light can be eliminated. However, significant improvements can be achieved by lowering the intensity of, and redesigning, some existing lighting schemes and encouraging the sensitive design of new ones. Useful guidance on this subject has been issued by Government Departments and a number of professional organisations.

  We are keeping under review whether other measures might usefully be taken to minimise excessive lighting, taking account of the recent findings of an informal survey of local authorities' handling of complaints about light pollution, but it seems that many of those problems are most appropriately tackled through education and guidance, rather than regulation.

  "This Common Inheritance"
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the third report on the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" will be published.

  Mr. Gummer
  As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 20 April 1994,Official Report, column 867, the report is being published today. I have placed copies in the Library of the House.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the mechanisms for(a) registering and (b) inspecting the care provided to residents of sheltered housing schemes.

  Mr. Bowis
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no requirement for the registration and inspection of the care provided to residents of sheltered housing schemes, unless they provide residential accommodation, board and personal care for residents. Any such establishments providing all those services would count as a residential care home and be subject to registration and inspection by the social services authority in the same way as other such homes.

EMPLOYMENT

  Banking Industry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of redundancies that have been announced by the banking industry in each of the last three years; what is the total work force of the industry for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The number of redundancies announced by the banking industry alone is not available. However, the labour force survey provides estimates of redundancies that took place in the three months prior to interview for the broad industry group—SIC 8—of banking, finance, insurance, business services and leasing for Great Britain. These are as follows:118

  Redundancies (not seasonally adjusted): Labour force survey Great Britain

  Spring

  Number

  1991

  45,000

  1992

  34,000

  1993

  29,000

  Figures from the labour force survey of the number of employees employed in banking, finance, insurance, business services and leasing—SIC 8—are shown in the table along with figures for the more specific class of banking and finance—SIC 81.

  Numbers of Employees (Not Seasonally Adjusted): Labour Force Survey, Great Britain

  (SIC 8)

  (SIC 81)

  Spring 1991

  2,455,000

  643,000

  Spring 1992

  2,356,000

  607,000

  Spring 1993

  2,443,000

  625,000

  An alternative source of employment estimates is available from the quarterly survey of employers for March of each year. These figures differ from those derived from the LFS in that they are a count of jobs rather than people and also rely on industry classification from the employer rather than from the employee as in the LFS. Estimates from this employer survey source for banking, finance, insurance, business services and leasing—SIC—and the banking and finance industry class—SIC 81—are as follows:

  Employees in Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted): Employer Survey, Great Britain

  (SIC 8)

  (SIC 81)

  March 1991

  2,660,100

  616,500

  March 1992

  2,595,800

  588,700

  March 1993

  2,631,600

  568,000

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 14 January,Official Report, column 302, referring to inter-TEC comparison tables, if he will extend the tables to give details for each training and enterprise council in Greater London of the figures for youth training cost per output point, employment training cost per output point, national vocational qualifications per 100 youth training leavers, positive outcomes per 100 employment training leavers, NVQs per 100 employment training leavers, youth training guarantee and investors in people.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I am unable to give the information for which the hon. Member is asking. The first publication of the comparative data was intended to give a broad indication of the range of relative training and enterprise council performance, not to make fine distinctions between TECs. The Department is continuing to refine the comparisons.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) male full-time workers, (b) male part-time workers, (c) female full-time workers, (d)

  119
  female part-time workers, (e) self-employed males and (f) self-employed females had a second job as (i) an employee and (ii) self-employed in each year since 1984.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is available from the labour force survey and can be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of unemployed people in May 1979; and what the figure is at the present time.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 9 May 19941: On the consistent, seasonally adjusted basis, there were 1,086,800 claimant unemployed persons in May 1979 and 2,722,600 in March 1994.

TRANSPORT

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on which European directive the environmental assessment for the M11 link road was based; what are the current requirements relating to environmental assessment of such schemes; and what are the differences between the assessment carried out for the Mll link road and current requirements.

  Mr. Norris
  This question relates to the operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 5 May 1994:

  M11 Link Road
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the M11.
  The environmental assessment of the Mll link road was not based on any EC Directive. The European Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of certain public and private projects on the environment came into force in 1988 after development consent for the Mll link project was granted.
  The EC Directive as implemented by section 105A of the Highways Act currently applies to Trunk Road schemes. The Directive requires that the assessment must be made in accordance with current knowledge and methods of assessment.
  The assessment of the M11 link road was in accordance with practices current at the time. The environmental effects of the scheme were thoroughly assessed before the decision was taken in 1985 to authorise its construction.

  Mobile Telephones and Pagers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by his Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has 288 portable telephones, 1,946 pagers and electronic bleepers and 23 car telephones. Figures are not available for the annual operating costs. The equipment is issued to staff on the basis of operational need, especially where they have to 120
  work away from an office. The main users of the equipment are staff in the Coastguard Agency, Highways Agency, vehicle inspectorate and air accident investigation branch.

  Railway Accidents
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway accidents there were in April; where and on which date each of these accidents occurred; and how many accidents there were in April 1993.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not readily available. The Health and Safety Executive collates railway accident statistics annually. The figures for 1993–94 will be published by the end of 1994 in HM railway inspectorate's annual report on railway safety in Great Britain. Equivalent information for 1994–95 will be published by the end of 1995.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total number of heavy goods vehicles registered in 1979; and what is the total at the latest available date.

  Mr. Key
  The numbers of goods vehicles, both new registrations and licensed stock at year end, in 1979 and 1993 is given below. However, as a result of changes in vehicle taxation regulations which occurred between the two years, the 1979 and 1993 data are not strictly comparable. The earliest year for which figures comparable to 1993 are available is 1980 and estimates for this year have been included in the table.

  Goods Vehicles

  thousands

  New registrations

  Stock at year end

  Old definition

  Current definition

  Old definition

  Current definition

  1979

  91

  —

  561

  —

  19801

  —

  55

  —

  507

  19932

  —

  33

  —

  432

  1 Estimated

  2 Provisional

  Third River Crossing, Blackwall
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed third river crossing at Blackwall; what proposals he has received from construction companies for the third river crossing at Blackwall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letterfrom Lawrie Haynes to Ms Mildred Gordon, dated 10 May 1994:

  PROPOSED THIRD RIVER CROSSING AT BLACKWALL
  Steven Norris has asked me to write to you in response to your question in the House about progress on the proposals for a third crossing at Blackwall.
  As you know, considerable concern was expressed about the environmental implications of the bridge option when we held a public consultation on the proposals for this scheme. A good deal of thought has to be given to the response to these before the way forward with this scheme can be decided.

  121
  I have received no formal proposals from construction companies, although there have been informal discussions. These include some which raise the possibility of private finance. If any of these ideas are developed further and brought to my attention, I will include them in the report on the public consultation which I will be submitting to the Secretary of State.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Road Building Greater London
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the future road building programmes for the Greater London area; what is the estimated cost of such work; and what are the expected dates of commencement and completion of such works.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 10 May 1994:

  FUTURE ROAD PROGRAMME GREATER LONDON
  Steven Norris has asked me to write to you in response to your question in the House about the future road building programme for the Greater London area.
  You may recall the press notice sent to you at the end of March announcing the results of the review of the road programme. I enclose a further copy, from which you will see that the schemes are set out in the same grouping as in the Roads Report published at the end of March. I also enclose a copy of the tables from the report in which the London schemes are highlighted.
  As you will see from the copy tables, dates for start and completion of works are not available for all the schemes. For those schemes in the early stage of planning, the start dates will depend on a number of factors, such as the progress with the statutory procedures to authorise their construction and the availability of funds when we are ready to invite tenders for the work. The stage reached with each scheme is given in the tables.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Car Dealers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action can be taken, and by whom, against car dealers who display motor vehicles for sale on the public highway which do not display a current road fund licence disc; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is responsible for vehicle excise duty enforcement for all unlicensed vehicles kept or used on public roads in Great Britain. Where offences are detected and the persons responsible traced, action is taken either through out-of-court settlement or, in the more serious cases, by prosecution. This action may apply to any vehicle keeper who commits such an offence, and this includes car dealers.

  London Transport Employees (Assaults)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many employees of London Transport have been subject to assaults whilst on duty in each of the last five years, and in 1994 to the latest available date; how many of these were working on(a) London Buses and (b) London Underground at the time of the assault; and in how many cases the assaults were recorded as being racially motivated.
  122
  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: The numbers of assaults on London Transport employees over this period have been as follows:

  Year

  London Buses

  London Underground

  1989

  896

  135

  1990

  966

  120

  1991

  1,018

  142

  1992

  1,035

  141

  1993

  858

  112

  11994

  202

  34

  1To 31 March.

  The figures for London Buses cover all assaults on staff; those for London Underground include only criminal assaults—those involving injury and likely to lead to consideration of a prosecution.

  London Transport does not keep records of the number of assaults that may have been racially motivated.

  Privatisation (Consultants)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in which his Department has been engaged since 1980.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 4 May 1994]: Gross voted expenditure on the employment of consultants on privatisation programmes sponsored by the Department since 1980, and other costs associated with these privatisations, has been £107 million. Departmental expenditure associated with privatisations is covered by the sale proceeds.

  Some transport undertakings will have incurred expenditure themselves in employing consultants in the process of privatising parts of their operations, but these costs are a matter for the bodies concerned.

  Transport, London
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of public spending on transport in London is spent on roads; and what proportion on public transport.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: In 1992–93, public investment in London Transport, Network SouthEast and docklands light railway amounted to around £1,400 million, while capital expenditure by central Government and local authorities on roads in London, excluding the M25, was about £400 million. Expenditure on NSE benefited a broader area than London alone.

  Hayes Bypass
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department is making of the traffic difficulties of Northolt following the opening of the Hayes bypass; what solutions he is proposing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: It would be for the London borough of Ealing, as traffic and highway authority for all local roads in the Northolt area, including the northern end of the Hayes bypass, to carry out any studies of local conditions. The Department of Transport is responsible for the A40 trunk road. To reduce congestion at the westbound exit slip road from the A40 at Target

  123
  roundabout, the Department's Highways Agency will this summer be introducing traffic signals at the entry to the roundabout.

TREASURY

  Inland Revenue (Wales)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to consult the Welsh Language Board and the Secretary of State for Wales regarding any proposal by the Inland Revenue for the closure or transfer of staff from any office providing a service in the Welsh language.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Inland Revenue's programme of change for the whole of the United Kingdom is improving the service of taxpayers by organising work more effectively. Some offices will close. However, in Wales, this will not involve any deterioration in the Welsh language service provided.

  All tax offices in Wales provide a full Welsh language service and will continue to do so. The service is supported by a Welsh language unit. This was set up in 1990 in accordance with guidelines published by the Welsh Language Board. It is available to all those who wish to correspond or converse in Welsh and can also be used by those whose tax affairs are dealt with outside Wales.

  Consultation with the Welsh Language Board and the Secretary of State for Wales on changes to local offices is not needed.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish for each year since 1990 for each county in Wales and for Wales as a whole(a) the total number of Inland Revenue employees and (b) the number of Inland Revenue employees who are Welsh speaking;

  (2) if he will publish for each year since 1990 for each county in Wales, and for Wales as a whole the number of Inland Revenue officers and the number of Inland Revenue officers able to provide a service in the Welsh language.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information is not available in the precise form requested. The Inland Revenue monitors the number of Welsh-speaking employees each year but does not maintain an historic record. The number of Inland Revenue employees serving in Wales for each year between 1990 to 1993 was as follows:

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Clwyd

  469

  519

  628

  629

  Dyfed

  257

  279

  297

  291

  Gwent

  283

  297

  311

  306

  Gwynedd

  169

  189

  198

  194

  Mid Glamorgan

  234

  242

  251

  255

  South Glamorgan

  2,504

  2,631

  2,771

  2,760

  Powys

  83

  91

  93

  92

  West Glamorgan

  237

  263

  311

  308

  TOTAL

  4,236

  4,511

  4,860

  4,835

  (a) The current number of Inland Revenue employees serving in each county of Wales is as follows:

  Number

  Clwyd

  631

  Dyfed

  301

  Gwent

  309

  124

  Number

  Gwynedd

  199

  Mid Glamorgan

  254

  South Glamorgan

  2,756

  Powys

  92

  West Glamorgan

  310

  The total number of Inland Revenue employees serving in Wales as a whole is 4,852.

  (b) The current number of Inland Revenue employees serving in each county of Wales who are recorded as Welsh speakers is as follows:

  Number

  Clwyd

  30

  Dyfed

  62

  Gwent

  3

  Gwynedd

  71

  Mid Glamorgan

  9

  South Glamorgan

  55

  Powys

  3

  West Glamorgan

  22

  The total number of Inland Revenue employees who are Welsh speaking is 255.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of VAT or tax is levied on(a) motor vehicle fuel, (b) fuel for railway locomotives and (c) aviation fuel.

  Sir John Cope
  Value added tax is levied as follows:(a) All supplies of road fuel are liable to VAT on the standard rate of 17–5 per cent. VAT is due on the total value including the excise duty.
  (b&c) Supplies of fuel and power for railway locomotives and of aviation fuel are also normally liable to VAT at the standard rate of 17.5 per cent. If, unusually, the supply is of a very small quantity of fuel then it may fall within the "qualifying use" criteria set out in Schedule 5, Group 7, Note (2) of the VAT Act 1983 and, as such, by virtue of Section 42 of the Finance Act 1993, is currently liable to VAT at 8 per cent.
  From 1 April 1995 these supplies will also be liable to VAT at 17–5 per cent.
  (c) Supplies of fuel delivered as stores direct to non-private foreign going aircraft may be zero-rated subject to meeting the Stipulated conditions.

  Excise duty is levied at the following rates:

  (a) Motor vehicle fuel

  Leaded petrol—33.14 pence per litre

  Unleaded petrol—28.32 pence per litre

  Diesel road fuel—27.70 pence per litre

  Gas used as road fuel—16.57 pence per liquid litre

  (b) Railway locomotive fuel

  Rebated gas oil (diesel)—1.64 pence per litre

  Electricity—No excise duty liability

  Coal—No excise duty liability

  (c) Aviation fuel

  Aviation gasoline—16.57 pence per litre

  Aviation turbine fuel (kerosene)—Nil

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received suggesting that the charging of VAT on company cars should be rescinded on legal grounds; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  None, although I understand that a number of businesses have challenged the current United Kingdom VAT regime for cars on legal grounds. Taxation of the private use of business cars is mandatory under
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  Community law. Since the inception of the tax in April 1973, the United Kingdom has achieved this through restricting tax recovery on the purchase of cars. The current legal basis for this simplified procedure is article 17(6) of the sixth directive (77/388/EEC).

  Fiscal Regime, Dublin
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the fiscal regime in Dublin compared with that in London as an attraction to financial institutions specialising in personal savings products.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No blanket assessment of the attractions of different centres is possible. The tax position of personal savings products depends on the tax rules in the state of residence of the saver as well as those in the state of origin of the product, if different, on the characteristics of the product and of any assets underlying it and on the terms of any relevant double taxation agreements. The tax rules applicable to profits of the product providers will also have some influence on their choice of location. The Government seek to put in place tax rules which are consistent with widespread purchase of United Kingdom personal savings products, most recently by changes in the Finance Act 1994 to the tax rules for authorised unit trusts.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fishermen (Compensatory Payments)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to grant compensatory payments to fishermen for loss of earnings as a result of the bad weather; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  None. The level of activity of certain sections of the Northern Ireland fleet may have been curtailed due to weather at certain times but when viewed over a longer period, that has not been to such a large extent as to justify aid.

  Income Support, South Down
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recipients in each age group became eligible for top-up payments to bring them up to the income support level after 11 April at each of the social security offices in South Down.

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

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans his Department has(a) to utilise the Internet, (b) to make available on the Internet press releases and other departmental information to which the public may wish to have access and (c) to use the Internet as a means of increasing the openness of his Department.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Department of the Environment (NI) has adopted a registered Internet addressing scheme and is in the process of building a strategic data communications network around this, initially for inter-departmental communication only. It has 126
  no plans at present to make available on the Internet press releases or other departmental information which the public may wish to access, nor has it any plans to use Internet as a means of increasing the openness of the Department.

  Internet is one of several options currently under consideration by some departments as a possible means of providing their information systems needs for the future.

  Mobile Telephones and Pagers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by his Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Portable. Telephones—258;

  (b) Pagers and electronic bleepers—310;

  (c) Car telephones—75.

  The cost of operating this equipment for the 1993–94 financial year is estimated at £146,000. The equipment is used by senior management, private office staff, security personnel, press officers, car pool/official drivers and other staff whose duties require them to be frequently absent from their base and who are required to maintain contact.

  Road Works
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to improve street lighting along the roadway from Killinchy village to Balloo crossroads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  During this summer, street lighting will be provided along a 100 m stretch of Beechvale road from Killinchy village to the new residential home.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when it is programmed to commence work at the new Forster Green road junction in Castlereagh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Work on the Forster Green junction improvement scheme is programmed to commence in the 1995–96 financial year subject to the continuing availability of finance and the completion of the associated statutory procedures.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when it is programmed to commence work at the Comber bypass.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Work on the Comber bypass: stage 2 is programmed to commence in the 1997–98 financial year subject to the continuing availability of finance and the completion of the statutory procedures.

  Lambs
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of lambs lost by farmers in Northern Ireland as a result of the adverse weather conditions this year during the lambing period.
  127
  Mr. Ancram
  There is no requirement on farmers to report losses of lambs and the Department of Agriculture accordingly has no information on which to base an estimate.

DEFENCE

  D-day
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the planned expenditure by his Department on the D-day celebrations.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although much work remains to be done, the additional cost to my Department is expected to be between £3 million and £4 million.

  Recruitment (Young People)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of his Department on, and what regulations are in force in respect of, the recruitment into the armed forces of young people under the age of 18 years.

  Mr. Hanley
  The minimum age limit for recruitment of non-commissioned personnel into the armed forces is 16; for officers, the age limits are higher and vary for each of the services. No recruits under the age of 18 may enter the services without the written permission of their parents or guardian.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made as to the effectiveness of the planning cell at the Western European Union headquarters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The Western European Union planning cell makes a valuable contribution to the work of the WEU. The United Kingdom will continue to support its activities.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the enlargement of the Western European Union.

  Mr. Hanley
  At the Western European Union Ministerial Council on 9 May the central and eastern European countries of the WEU forum of consultation were offered the status of associate partners in WEU. This represents a significant broadening and deepening of relations between WEU and these countries, although stopping short of full membership for them.

  Trident
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost to the defence budget of maintaining four Trident submarines in operation and in readiness to launch a nuclear strike against another country.

  Mr. Aitken
  The average annual running cost of Trident over its life is expected to be about £200 million, at 1991–94 prices.

  Defence Equipment (Value for Money)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's programme for ensuring value for money in the successful tenders for defence equipment.
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  Mr. Aitken
  Contract award decisions are made after satisfying ourselves that our requirements are adequately met having regard to price, delivery, military effectiveness and other relevant factors.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications for British forces in Bosnia of the Government's expenditure plans 1994–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are none. The additional costs arising from the British military deployment in the former Yugoslavia are refunded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office under approved procedures.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current military situation in Bosnia.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to my hon. Friend the Member for Chingford (Mr. Duncan Smith).

  Nuclear Weapons (Former Soviet Union)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Ministers of other NATO countries regarding assistance towards the dismantling of nuclear weapons in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

  Mr. Aitken
  There have been no such discussions recently. This programme of nuclear assistance is co-ordinated by the NATO ad hoc group on nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union in which the United Kingdom participates.

  On 10 November 1992, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian Foreign Minister, which sets out the terms for the supply of 250 nuclear weapons super-containers and 20 nuclear weapons transport vehicles, which are being gifted to Russia to help with the safe and secure transport of surplus nuclear warheads. The estimated cost of this programme is £35 million at current prices. I am pleased to inform the House that the first batch of 48 super-containers was handed over to Russia on 8 May. Deliveries will continue through the year and are expected to be completed by the end of 1994. This programme of assistance is a significant contribution to nuclear arms control.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards contracting out the Army's engineering and maintenance work.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department's policy is to expose in-house activities to competition from the private sector, wherever possible. Base repair and overhaul of Army equipment is carried out by the Army Base Repair Organisation, a defence agency. ABRO is currently implementing a programme of market testing its services. The pilot market test, of 18 base workshop, was won by the in-house team following a keenly contested competition.

  In fact, quite apart from the market-testing initiative, the Army Base Repair Organisation already contracts with

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  industry to undertake about a third of its work load, by volume. This dual sourcing between the agency's own workshops and private industry provides an element of competition, and safeguards the ability to surge above the organisation's normal repair capacity during times of crisis.

  Defence Costs Study
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of his review of defence expenditure.

  Mr. Aitken
  Work on the defence costs study is continuing. Thirty-one of the 33 individual study teams set up to examine particular areas of defence support have submitted their final reports. Their proposals are now under consideration. This is a complex and necessarily lengthy process and it will be some time before final decisions are taken. We hope to make public the broad outcome of the study before the summer recess. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my closing remarks in the Army debate on 4 May Official Report, 4 May, columns 815–16, in which I outlined a number of messages emerging from the defence costs study.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the impact of the current defence review on defence-related employment in Hampshire.

  Mr. Aitken
  No such estimate is possible at this stage as decisions on the defence costs study have yet to be taken.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 April,Official Report, column 399, if he will list the membership of the defence costs study team which is specifically concerned with repair, spares, storage and distribution; if he will give full details of the instructions given to the team; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The defence costs study into repair, spares, storage and distribution was led by Mr. D. Jones. The study team members were:

  Captain A. Burbridge RN,

  Air Commodore D. Anderson,

  Mr. J. Morrison,

  Mr. S. Goodwin,

  Mr. J. Oughton-Efficiency Unit,

  Miss A. Perkins—HM Treasury,

  Mr. R. Benton—External member.

  The Study's remit was to identify means of achieving maximum possible reductions in the costs—including those that might be associated with further adjustments to readiness—associated with repair, spares, storage and distribution in all the services. The study was to range as broadly as necessary but in particular was to propose the appropriate policy and organisation/administration for:

  Third and fourth line repair;

  Spares procurement and stockholding;

  Non-explosive storage;

  Explosive storage and processing;

  Freight Distribution.

  Manpower
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present manpower strength of the armed services.
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  Mr. Hanley
  The total strength of the armed forces as at 1 March 1994 was some 256,000. Further details are contained in the monthly "Tri-Service Personnel Statistics Return on Strengths, Intake and Outflow of the UK Regular Forces", a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what total level of staff reductions he is expecting in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98; and what impact this will have on this budget.

  Mr. Hanley
  The "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1994" indicates the forecast manpower levels for service personnel at 1 April 1995 and for civilian personnel at April 1996. Manpower levels for later years will be affected by a range of factors, including of course, the outcome of the defence costs study.

  Nuclear Capability
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase Britain's nuclear capability.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government remain committed to retaining the minimum nuclear capability necessary for credible and effective deterrence. Our plans have most recently been set out in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1994", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Exports
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the contribution to exports of United Kingdom defence industries.

  Mr. Aitken
  I am pleased to report that 1993 was another record year, with British defence equipment manufacturers winning export orders worth around £6,000 million. These figures build on our success in 1992, and maintain the United Kingdom's position as the world's second-largest supplier of defence equipment.

  RAF Valley
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions RAF personnel at RAF Valley have been called out for mountain rescue and air-sea rescue purposes during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Hanley
  Between 1 April 1993 and 31 March 1994 RAF search and rescue personnel and equipment at RAF Valley were involved in 234 call-outs. The search and rescue helicopters and mountain rescue team responded to 161 call-outs on land, 45 along the coastline and 28 at sea.

  MOD Housing
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will transfer surplus MOD housing to ensure it can be used for low-cost rented accommodation.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen (Mrs. Kennedy).

  Northern Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the loss of the United Nations helicopters in Northern Iraq.
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  Mr. Hanley
  The two United States helicopters shot down in northern Iraq on 14 April by United States FI5s are the subject of a United States investigation, in which the United Kingdom and other coalition partners are fully represented. The results of the investigation will be reported to Parliament as soon as possible and it would be inappropriate for my Department to attempt to make an assessment at this stage.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the budget of his Department in constant prices(a) in the current year, (b) five years previously and (c) 10 years previously; and if he will identify the main area in which savings have been made.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  1994–95

  1990–91

  1985–86

  22,889

  26,456

  28,951

  Notes:

  (1) All figures are in £ million and are at 1994–95 constant prices.

  (2) Figures are adjusted for technical changes in the treatment of Armed Forces and civilian pensions described in the 1992 Autumn Statement (Cm 2096) and other classification changes.

  (3) Figures include expenditure arising from the Falklands and Gulf conflicts and redundancy costs flowing from 'Options for Change', but exclude Gulf burdensharing contributions from other Govemments.

  (4) Figures for 1990–91 and 1985–86 include expenditure relating to the security and intelligence services.

  The defence programme has changed significantly over the period in question largely due to the changing strategic environment as well as changes to commitments and capabilities. More specific details can be found in successive "Statements on the Defence Estimates", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Belize
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the countries with which the United Kingdom has had discussions with a view to guaranteeing the territorial integrity of Belize;

  (2) what discussions have taken place to guarantee the defence of Belize in the event of external aggression since the decision to reduce the British military presence in Belize.

  Mr. Hanley
  The sovereignty and independence of Belize are recognised by all members of the United Nations. Belize is also a member of the Organisation of American States. We have made clear our readiness to participate with others in any consultations Belize may request on its future security. Any such discussions would of course be confidential between the parties concerned.

  Armed Forces (Operational Capability)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list all of the sources of the data that he uses to assess the operational capability of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how he measures the operational capability of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Central assessments of operational capability are informed by both quantitative data and 132
  military judgment reported up the chain of command; to list all the original souces could be done only at disproportionate cost. The various quantitative indicators include manning levels, the operational availability of key equipment, the level of warstocks and the recent collective training achieved by headquarters and units. In addition, operational analysis, or war-gaming, can be used to measure the likely operational effectiveness of forces earmarked for contingent military tasks.

  Bedrooms
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bedrooms his Department maintains in(a) the MOD building, Whitehall and (b) elsewhere in central London; what is the rate of occupancy of these bedrooms; and what proportion of these are reserved for the use of civil servants and service personnel who are not based in London but are required to visit his Department's offices in London.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are a small number of bedrooms in MOD main building, Whitehall—including PINDAR—for the use of essential service and civilian personnel and duty staff. None of this accommodation is appropriate for use by Crown servants visiting my Department's offices in London. We are also responsible for a number of Army messes in the London area; there are 2,032 beds—some in shared rooms—of which 1,883 were occupied on 3 May 1994 by personnel employed or on a course. On that date, 143–7 per cent.—of the beds were available to civilian and military personnel.

  Hotels, Central London
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's annual expenditure on hotel accommodation in central London.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department introduced new subsist-ence rates for civilian and service staff on 1 December 1993 to reflect discounted hotel charges. The total cost of bed-and-breakfast accommodation in central London between that date and 31 March 1994 was estimated to be some £626,000.

  PINDAR
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out into future uses of PINDAR.

  Mr. Hanley
  The PINDAR joint operations centre provides the Government with a protected crisis management facility. While all aspects of Defence support are currently under examination as part of the defence costs study, there are no plans to change the present role of the centre.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 997, if he has now received the consultants' reports on the environmental assessment of depleted uranium firing at the Kirkcudbright and Eskmeals ranges; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  I have not yet received the report. This is an important study and the contractor has identified several
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  lines of inquiry which need to be followed up and which require additional time. The draft version of the report is now expected to be available to officials within the next few weeks.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has(a) to utilise the Internet, (b) to make available on the Internet press releases and other departmental information to which the public may wish to have access and (c) to use the Internet as a means of increasing the openness of his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department currently makes use of the Internet—particularly the unclassified electronic mail facility with its ability to transmit information rapidly worldwide. Owing to the unclassified, open nature of the network there is, however, no intention of using the Internet for defence communications.

  Our press releases are issued electronically through the Central Office of Information and are accessible to users of the Internet via Data-Star Dialog (Europe) or Mead/Lexis/Nexis.

  Consideration is being given to the provision of access to the Internet through the departmental library as an enhancement to existing information services. The introduction of my Department of further roles for the Internet would however be conditional on the development of adequate security measures to protect sensitive information.

  Mobile Telephones and Pagers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by his Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.

  Mr. Hanley
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  "Forward Look"
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the(a) budgeted and (b) total cost of producing the package, "Forward Look of Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology 1994"; how many copies have been produced and distributed; and to whom they have been distributed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Office of Science and Technology set a budget of £30,000 to produce the 1994 "Forward Look of Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology". The costs of printing, publishing and distributing were borne by HMSO which aims to recover its costs from sales revenue. HMSO produced a total of 1900 copies of which 1,000 copies were purchased by the OST for official use. After discount the total cost to the OST was £24,000.

  Approximately 800 copies of the "Forward Look" have ben distributed to date by the OST to parliamentary bodies, Government Departments, research councils, higher education funding councils, higher education institutes, research and technology organisations, trade and industry
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  associations, professional institutions of scientists and engineers, learned societies, members of advisory bodies on S and T, S and T counsellors in United Kingdom embassies and overseas embassies based in London. Copies are on sale through HMSO, its agents and other booksellers.

  Mobile Telephones and Pagers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by his Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There are 189 portable telephones, 195 pagers and nine car telephones currently in use in the Cabinet Office—excluding 10 Downing street—its agencies and the Central Office of Information at an annual cost of approximately £289,000. Information in respect of HMSO is not held centrally.

  The equipment is made available to those personnel who need to keep in contact with the office for official purposes.

  Civil Service Commission
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many executive search agencies the Civil Service Commission currently uses; how many it used in(a) 1979 and (b) 1985; and what was the annual cost of the use of such agencies in each of those three years;

  (2) for how many recruitment posts the Civil Service Commission employed executive search agencies in (a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. David Davis
  On 1 April 1991 the Civil Service Commission was replaced by the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners and the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency. All recruitment costs, including those of using search consultants, are now met by Departments and agencies; prior to 1991 the general position was that they met the cost of recruitment below executive officer level.

  There is no information held centrally on the use of search consultants in 1979 or 1985 though it seems unlikely that much, if any, use was made of them at that period. The decision to use search consultants and the choice of consultants is one for Departments and agencies. The Civil Service Commissioners' annual report for 1992–93 records that six search consultants were used for 11 appointments approved by the commissioners at grade 5 level and above in that period. Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what budget the Civil Service Commission had for recruitment in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available; and what was the proportion spent in each of those years on executive search agencies.

  Mr. David Davis
  On 1 April 1991 the Civil Service Commission was replaced by the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners and the Recruitment and
  135
  Assessment Services Agency. All recruitment costs, including those of using search consultants, are now met by Departments and agencies; prior to 1991 the general position was that they met the cost of recruitment below executive officer level.

  The Civil Service Commission's budget for recruitment was £5,024,000 in 1979–80, £10,066,000 in 1985–86 and £12,288,000 in 1990–91. No figures are held centrally for the costs of using search consultants; these costs are paid direct by the Departments and agencies which use them.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Severely Disabled Premium Awards
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many review hearings for people awaiting payments due to them under the severely disabled premium awards have been(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful.

  Mr. Burt
  I am informed by his honour Judge Thorpe, who is responsible for the Independent Tribunal Service, that to date 451 appeals have been successful and 426 unsuccessful.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to ensure that any new incapacity assessment for ME sufferers will take account of the variability of ME; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Departmental studies have researched the extent to which certain factors such as fatigue and variability affect capacity for work. This research has been incorporated into the development of the medical test so far.

  People with conditions such as ME may be able to carry out the various activities in the test once but cannot maintain this performance because of cumulative fatigue. The all-work assessment will take into account the fact that a person must be able to repeat activities over a period of time to be capable of work. In the assessment, the Benefits Agency medical services doctor will consider a person's abilities over time, rather than the person's optimum performance.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many clients are receiving help from the independent living (1993) fund; how many applications have been refused since the fund started operating; and what percentage of its first year budget of £4 million has been spent.

  Mr. Scott
  I am informed by the director of the independent living (1993) fund that, as at 3 May, there were 268 severely disabled people receiving payments from the fund. In a further 135 cases, offers of help had been made, but had not yet been taken up by the client. Since 1 April 1993 the fund has refused 443 applications.

  I am further informed that the 1993 fund spent £841,858 in its first year of operation; representing 21 per cent. of the first year budget.
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  The fund estimates that the full year costs of the case load taken on in its first year will be around £6.28 million in this financial year, assuming current trends.

  Disabled People
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the Government's plans for combating discrimination against disabled people.

  Mr. Scott
  The Government have already made considerable progress in this area through a policy of education and persuasion, backed up where necessary by targeted legislation. We propose to consult widely on further measures in five key areas.Proposals to prevent unjustifiable discrimination against disabled people in the field of employment, as we recognise that the quota scheme may not be the most effective instrument for improving the work position of disabled people.
  A right of access to goods or services where there is no physical barrier or safety risk.
  Codes of practice on the provision of financial services, and extended roles for the banking and building society ombudsmen to cover cases of unjustified discrimination against disabled people.
  Extending the application of the Building Regulations as they affect the needs of disabled people.
  A new independent body to advise government on issues relating to discrimination against disabled people. This body would work closely with existing statutory bodies representing the interests of disabled people and would report regularly on progress towards reducing and removing discrimination as well as making recommendations for further improvement.

  Following consultation, we will consider assisting in the drafting of any necessary workable and practicable legislation.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will exempt all payments made in criminal injuries compensation from capital thresholds for the purposes of benefit claims; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Special rules for personal injury compensation payments mean that the capital value is ignored entirely for benefit purposes provided that the funds are placed on trust for the benefit of the injured person. There are no plans to change these rules.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has available on the number of claims where benefit was(a) disallowed or (b) reduced as a result of capital acquired from criminal injuries compensation.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate for(a) England and (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the United Kingdom for each available year of (i) the numbers of absent parents who have been assessed by the Child Support Agency and (ii) the proportion of those who have made payments.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the Chief Executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
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  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 10 March 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of people assessed by the Child Support Agency, and the number of people paying child maintenance.
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  To the end of March 1994, 205,500 absent parents had been assessed by the Agency. I regret that a breakdown between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not available.
  With regard to how many absent parents are paying, the Child Support Computer System records client's details on an individual case by case basis, and it is not currently configured to produce information on the total number of absent parents paying maintenance.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

  DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: BILL OF RIGHTS PROPOSALS
  DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: BILL OF RIGHTS PROPOSALS
  EC FINANCIAL INFORMATION : CURRENCY DENOMINATION
  EC FINANCIAL INFORMATION : CURRENCY DENOMINATION
  MOTOR CYCLES: PROPOSED POWER LIMIT
  MOTOR CYCLES: PROPOSED POWER LIMIT
  DISABLED PEOPLE: PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
  DISABLED PEOPLE: PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
  EC ECO-MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT SCHEME
  EC ECO-MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT SCHEME